Tea Steeping Calculator
Brewing the perfect cup of tea requires matching water temperature and steeping time to the specific tea type. Unlike boiling water for all teas (a common mistake), different varieties need different temperature and time combinations to bring out their best flavour without extracting bitter tannins. Black tea is the most robust and steeps best near boiling at 95 degrees C for 3 to 5 minutes. Green tea is delicate and needs cooler water at 70 to 80 degrees C for just 2 to 3 minutes to avoid bitterness. White tea is the most lightly processed and uses 75 degrees C for 2 to 4 minutes. Oolong sits between green and black, requiring 80 to 90 degrees C for 3 to 5 minutes. Herbal infusions (technically tisanes, not true teas) generally use fully boiling water at 100 degrees C for 5 to 7 minutes since they contain no tea tannins. This calculator takes your tea type and serving size, then displays the recommended water temperature (in Celsius and Fahrenheit), steeping time range, and the amount of loose leaf tea to use.
Tea steeping quick reference
| Tea type | Temperature | Steep time | Tsp per 240 ml |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black tea | 95 degrees C (203 F) | 3 to 5 min | 1 |
| Green tea | 75 degrees C (167 F) | 2 to 3 min | 1 |
| White tea | 75 degrees C (167 F) | 2 to 4 min | 1 to 2 |
| Oolong tea | 85 degrees C (185 F) | 3 to 5 min | 1 |
| Herbal / tisane | 100 degrees C (212 F) | 5 to 7 min | 1 to 2 |
| Rooibos | 100 degrees C (212 F) | 5 to 7 min | 1 |
| Pu-erh | 95 degrees C (203 F) | 2 to 4 min | 1 |
Tea steeping: frequently asked questions
Why does green tea steep at a lower temperature than black tea?
Green tea leaves are unoxidised and more delicate than black tea. Steeping green tea in boiling water (100 degrees C) extracts bitter compounds called tannins too quickly, producing an astringent, harsh cup. Water at 70 to 80 degrees C extracts the desired sweet and grassy flavours without the bitterness. Black tea is fully oxidised and can withstand boiling water without becoming unpleasantly bitter within its standard steeping time.
What happens if I steep tea too long?
Over-steeping releases excessive tannins from the tea leaves, resulting in a bitter, astringent flavour. The effect is more pronounced with black tea (which has a shorter steep window) and less severe with herbal teas (which can steep longer without turning bitter). Remove the tea leaves or bag as soon as the recommended steeping time is reached.
How much loose leaf tea should I use per cup?
The standard guideline is approximately 1 teaspoon (2 to 3 grams) of loose leaf tea per 240 ml of water. Some teas, such as white tea (which is fluffy and low density) may need 2 to 3 teaspoons per cup. Rolled or compressed teas (oolong balls, pu-erh) expand significantly, so start with less. Adjust to taste.
Can I re-steep tea leaves?
Many high-quality loose leaf teas, particularly oolongs, white teas, and green teas, can be steeped multiple times. Successive infusions often produce different flavour profiles. For re-steeping, reduce the water temperature slightly and shorten the initial steep, then add 30 seconds to each successive steep. Black tea and herbal teas are generally not re-steeped.
What temperature is 95 degrees C in Fahrenheit?
95 degrees Celsius equals 203 degrees Fahrenheit. 75 degrees C equals 167 degrees F. 85 degrees C equals 185 degrees F. 100 degrees C (boiling) equals 212 degrees F. To achieve lower temperatures, boil water and let it cool for approximately 2 minutes for 90 to 95 degrees C, 4 to 5 minutes for 80 to 85 degrees C, or 8 to 10 minutes for 70 to 75 degrees C.
References
- USDA Agricultural Research Service: FoodData Central.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. See our methodology.