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Boiling Point & Brew Temp by Altitude

Enter your elevation to see the boiling point of water where you live and whether you can reach the 93 to 96 °C (200 to 205 °F) window most coffee brewing recommends.

–
boiling point of water
–boiling point °F
–elevation in feet
–max brew temp
–advice
Estimate only: about 1 °C (1.8 °F) lower per 300 m (1,000 ft). Weather and air pressure shift the real value by a degree or so.

Boiling Point by Elevation

ElevationWater boils atBrewing at 96 °C
0 m · 0 ft 100.0 °C · 212 °F Full 96 °C reachable
500 m · 1,641 ft 98.3 °C · 209 °F Full 96 °C reachable
1,000 m · 3,281 ft 96.7 °C · 206 °F Full 96 °C reachable
1,500 m · 4,922 ft 95.0 °C · 203 °F Boiling water is your ceiling
2,000 m · 6,562 ft 93.3 °C · 200 °F Boiling water is your ceiling
2,500 m · 8,203 ft 91.7 °C · 197 °F Boiling water is your ceiling
3,000 m · 9,843 ft 90.0 °C · 194 °F Boiling water is your ceiling
3,500 m · 11,484 ft 88.3 °C · 191 °F Boiling water is your ceiling
4,000 m · 13,124 ft 86.7 °C · 188 °F Boiling water is your ceiling

Estimates from a 1 °C per 300 m rule of thumb. Brewing window assumed 93 to 96 °C.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what temperature does water boil at altitude?
Water boils about 1 °C (1.8 °F) lower for every 300 m (1,000 ft) you climb. At 1,600 m, roughly Denver, it boils near 94.6 °C (202 °F); at 3,000 m it boils near 90 °C (194 °F). Weather shifts these numbers slightly.
What water temperature should I use for coffee at high altitude?
Most brew guides target 93 to 96 °C (200 to 205 °F). Above roughly 1,200 m water cannot reach 96 °C, so use water straight off the boil and brew as normal. Do not let it cool first.
Does a low boiling point make coffee taste sour?
It can. Cooler water extracts less, so coffee may taste thin or sour. Compensate with a finer grind, a slightly longer brew, or a darker roast, and keep the water as hot as it can get.
Should I grind finer at altitude?
Usually a little. If your water tops out below 93 °C, try one step finer than your sea-level setting and adjust by taste. Our grind size guide and taste troubleshooter help you dial in.
Does altitude change espresso?
Espresso machines run pressurized boilers, so brew water temperature is set by the machine rather than the room, and altitude matters much less than for kettles or stovetop brewers.

Related Tools

Water Temperature Guide → Grind Size Guide → Taste Troubleshooter → Coffee Water Guide → Brew Ratio Calculator → Pour-Over Calculator → Find Your Next Bag →