Coffee-to-Water Ratio Calculator
Calculate the right coffee-to-water ratio for any brew method and serving size.
Results
The right coffee-to-water ratio is the foundation of great coffee. The Specialty Coffee Association recommends 1:16 to 1:18 for drip and pour over, but different brew methods need different ratios. Espresso uses 1:2 for concentrated shots, cold brew uses 1:5 for a strong concentrate, and French press uses 1:15 for a full-bodied cup.
Explore all our drinks and beverage calculator tools, or browse the full cooking hub.
Frequently asked questions
The SCA golden ratio is 1:16 to 1:18 (grams of coffee to ml of water). Start at 1:16 for a stronger cup or 1:17 for medium strength. Adjust to taste.
For a standard 8 oz (237 ml) cup at 1:16 ratio, use about 15g or 3 tablespoons of ground coffee. For stronger coffee, use 3.5 tablespoons.
Cold brew concentrate uses a 1:5 ratio (much stronger than hot brew). Dilute the concentrate 1:1 with water or milk when serving over ice.
A 12-cup coffee maker brews about 1800 ml. At 1:17 ratio, use 106g (about 21 tablespoons) of medium-ground coffee.
Grind size affects extraction, not the ratio. Use the same weight of coffee but adjust grind: finer for espresso and pour over, coarser for French press and cold brew.