Espresso Tampers – How to Choose the Best Size for Your Machine
Correctly sized, an espresso coffee tamper should be slightly smaller than the inside diameter of your espresso machine filter basket, so you can evenly compact the ground coffee without the tamper binding. The best method to identify correct tamper size is to measure the exact inside diameter of your filter basket using machinist calipers, then select a tamper slightly smaller than this measurement. In the event that you do not have access to a set of calipers, you can also use a steel measuring tape with 1/32″ divisions and a very careful eye and steady hand to take the measurement and then convert it to millimeters as follows:
- Measure the largest distance inside the filter basket across the centerline.
- Convert the measurement to decimal units (for example, 1/8″ = 1 divided by 8 = 0.125″).
- Multiply the resulting measurement (inches) by 25.4 to convert to millimeters.
- Select a tamper slightly smaller (at least 0.75mm for clearance) than your filter basket measurement.
Tamper Sizing Example
- Using a steel tape you determine the inside diameter of your filter basket measures 2-10/32″.
- Convert to decimal units: 10/32 + 2 = 2.3125″.
- Convert to millimeters: 2.3125″ x 25.4 = 58.74mm.
- The espresso tamper that you like is available in sizes 49mm, 53mm and 58mm; therefore, the best fit would be 58mm.
Espresso Tamper Size Reference Chart
In addition, over the years Espresso Zone has compiled the following list of tampers for many popular espresso machines to assist with your selection. However, please note that actual measurement of your filter basket is always the most reliable method; although we went to much effort to validate the following sizes, we cannot guarantee them as sometimes variations are made by manufacturers within a given model or based on the year the machine was manufactured. Please feel free to call or email us if you have any question and we would be happy to assist with tamper sizing.
| Home Espresso Machines | Suggested Tamper Size |
| Ascaso | 57 mm |
| Bodum Granos | 51 mm |
| Breville (800 Series) | 51 mm |
| Breville (Barista Express, BES870XL & BES860XL) (Infuser, BES840XL) (Duo-Temp Pro, BES810BSS) |
53 mm |
| Breville (Dual Boiler, BES900XL & BES920XL) | 58 mm |
| Cuisinart | 51 mm |
| Delonghi (newer machines) | 51 mm |
| Delonghi (older machines) | 49 mm |
| ECM Botticelli | 58 mm |
| ECM Cellini, Giotto | 58 mm |
| Espressione Cafe Retro, Cafe Novecento | 58 mm |
| Estro | 53 mm |
| Faema Family | 53 mm |
| Francis!Francis! X1 (new version) | 56 mm |
| Francis!Francis! X1 (old version) | 52 mm (or 53 mm*) |
| Francis!Francis! X3 | 57 mm |
| Gaggia (semi-auto machines) | 58 mm |
| Gaggia Factory (lever machines) | 51 mm |
| Innova | 57 mm |
| Kitchen Aid Proline | 58 mm |
| Krups | 49 to 52 mm (verify) |
| La Pavoni Club Combo, Duet, Napolitana | 57 mm |
| La Pavoni lever machines (mfg. 1999 and newer) | 51 mm |
| La Pavoni lever machines (mfg. pre 1999) | 49 mm |
| La Pavoni Lusso, Pisa, Si | 53 mm |
| La Riveria | 45 mm |
| La Spaziale | 53 mm |
| La Valentina | 58 mm |
| Mokita | 55 mm |
| Mypressi Twist | 53 mm |
| Olympia Club, Cremina, Express | 49 mm |
| Pasquini Livia 90 | 58 mm |
| Quick Mill | 58 mm |
| Rancilio Silvia | 58 mm |
| Saeco | 53 mm |
| Solis | 53 mm |
| Starbuck’s Barista | 52 mm (or 53 mm*) |
| Commercial Espresso Machines | Suggested Tamper Size |
| Astoria | 58 mm |
| Astra | 56 mm |
| Aurora | 56 mm |
| Azkoyen | 58 mm |
| Bezzera | 58 mm |
| Brasilia | 58 mm |
| Bunn | 58 mm |
| Caramali | 58 mm |
| Cimbali (other) | 57 mm |
| Cimbali Junior Casa DT1 | 58 mm |
| Conti | 58 mm |
| ECM | 58 mm |
| Elektra | 58 mm |
| Expobar | 58 mm |
| Faema | 58 mm |
| Florenzato | 58 mm |
| Futurmat | 58 mm |
| Gaggia | 58 mm |
| Grimac | 58 mm |
| Isomac | 58 mm |
| La Marzocco | 57 or 58 mm (verify) |
| La Scala | 58 mm |
| La Spaziale | 52 mm |
| Nuova Simonelli | 58 mm |
| Olympia Cremina | 49 mm |
| Pasquini | 58 mm |
| Rancilio | 58 mm |
| Reneka | 56 mm |
| San Marco | 55 mm |
| Spaziale | 52 mm |
| Synesso | 58 mm |
| Unic | 56 mm |
| VFA | 58 mm |
| Wega | 58 mm |
* These espresso machines technically have a 53 mm basket; however, we have found that a 53 mm tamper can be a tight fit. Therefore, it may be best to use a 52 mm tamper if available for ease of use.
