Coffee to water ratio calculator

Pick a brew method, then tell CoffeeRatio how many cups you want, how much water you have or how much coffee. It works out the other side of the ratio in grams, level tablespoons and scoops, and estimates how much brewed coffee you will end up with after the grounds soak up their share.

Method and amount

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    Two 8 oz mugs of pour-over at 1:16 need 473 ml of water and about 29.6 g of coffee, which is roughly 6 level tablespoons or 3 scoops.

    How the coffee ratio calculator works

    A ratio of 1:N means 1 gram of coffee for every N grams of water, and 1 ml of water weighs 1 g. CoffeeRatio turns cups into water using the cup size (1 US fl oz = 29.57 ml), then divides the water by N to get the coffee, or multiplies the coffee by N to get the water. Tablespoons assume about 5 g of ground coffee per level tablespoon and 10 g per standard scoop. Brewed yield is the water minus about twice the coffee’s weight, because wet grounds hold roughly double their weight in water; for espresso the water figure is the shot weight itself.

    Coffee ratios by brew method

    MethodRatioCoffee per 12 oz mugCoffee per litre
    Pour-over / V601:1622.2 g63 g
    Chemex1:1523.7 g67 g
    French press1:1523.7 g67 g
    Drip coffee maker1:1720.9 g59 g
    AeroPress1:1229.6 g83 g
    Cold brew concentrate1:571 g200 g
    Cold brew, ready to drink1:844.4 g125 g

    Ratios are starting points. Grind size, roast, water and brew time all change the taste, so adjust one thing at a time: less water for stronger, more for lighter.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the best coffee to water ratio?

    Most people like 1:15 to 1:17 for filter coffee: 1 g of coffee for every 15–17 g (ml) of water. Use less water for stronger coffee.

    How many grams of coffee per cup?

    About 15 g for an 8 oz (237 ml) cup at 1:16, or 10–11 g for a 5–6 oz coffee-maker cup.

    Why weigh coffee instead of using scoops?

    Beans vary in density and grind size, so a scoop can hold 7–12 g. A scale gives the same cup every day.

    Is CoffeeRatio free?

    Yes, with no sign-up or ads, and your settings stay in your browser.

    Can I change the ratio?

    Yes. Each method starts from a common ratio; type any ratio from 1:1 to 1:30 to make it stronger or weaker.

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