--- title: How hard do I need to tamp? description: You can tamp light or hard, just be consistent. The most important thing is that you ensure the ground coffee is equally distributed inside the portafilter, air pockets are collapsed and the tamp is level. --- [![company logo](https://support.flairespresso.com/hs-fs/hubfs/flair_espresso_logo_2018-2.png?height=120&name=flair_espresso_logo_2018-2.png)](https://flairespresso.com) [Flair Help Center](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge) - [Go to flairespresso.com](https://flairespresso.com) - [Contact us](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) Espresso 101 - [Account Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information) - [Account and Purchase History](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#account-and-purchase-history) - [Managing Payments and Billing](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#managing-payments-and-billing) - [Processing and Shipping Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#processing-and-shipping-information) - [Promotions](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#promotions) - [Returns and Warranty](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty) - [Return Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty#return-information) - [Warranty Policy](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty#warranty-policy) - [Partners and Collaborators](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/partners-and-collaborators) - [Before You Buy](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy) - [Espresso 101](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy#espresso-101) - [Flair FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy#flair-faqs) - [The Flair 58 Family](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#recommendations) - [The Flair 58+](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#the-flair-58) - [The PRO2](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#recommendations) - [The Classic](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#recommendations) - [The NEO Flex](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#faqs) - [Flow Control Portafilter](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#flow-control-portafilter) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#recommendations) - [The Royal Grinder](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder#faqs) - [The Signature](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#recommendations) - [The NEO](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#faqs) - [Flow Control Portafilter](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#flow-control-portafilter) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#recommendations) [Back to home](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge) 1. 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You can tamp light or hard, just be consistent. The most important thing is that you ensure the ground coffee is equally distributed inside the portafilter, air pockets are collapsed and the tamp is level. Typically, we recommend stopping once you feel the coffee bed is well compressed and it is no longer giving under your force application.   flairespresso.com Help Center - [Go to flairespresso.com](https://flairespresso.com) - [Contact us](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new)