Coffee ratio calculator
Enter how much coffee or water you have and pick a ratio. The rest is worked out for you. The ratio is grams of water for 1 gram of coffee, so 1:16 means 16 g of water per gram.
Change any field and the others update. Most brew methods fall between 1:12 and 1:18.
Water: 10.8 fl oz, 1.4 cups
Ratio by brew method
Each method has its own usual range. There is also a ratio chart for common water amounts, a table of coffee per cup, a guide for coffee that tastes bitter or sour, and one for diluting cold brew concentrate. Pick a method for grind size, water temperature, brew time and steps.
| Method | Start at | Range | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| French press | 1:15 | 1:12–1:17 | 4 minutes |
| Hario V60 pour-over | 1:16 | 1:14–1:18 | 2:30–3:30 total |
| AeroPress | 1:14 | 1:10–1:17 | 1:30–2:30 |
| Moka pot | 1:8 | 1:7–1:10 | 4–5 minutes on the stove |
| Cold brew | 1:8 | 1:4–1:10 | 12–18 hours |
| Espresso | 1:2 | 1:1.5–1:3 | 25–30 seconds |
| Chemex | 1:16 | 1:15–1:17 | 4–5:30 total |
| Kalita Wave | 1:16 | 1:15–1:17 | 3:00–3:30 total |
| Automatic drip coffee maker | 1:16 | 1:15–1:18 | 5–8 minutes |
| Turkish coffee | 1:10 | 1:8–1:12 | 2–4 minutes |
| Japanese iced coffee | 1:15 | 1:13–1:17 | 2:30–3:30 brew, ready to drink right away |
How to use a ratio
Weigh the coffee, then multiply by the ratio to get the water. 20 g of coffee at 1:16 needs 320 g of water, which is 320 ml.
A bigger number gives a lighter, thinner cup. A smaller number gives a stronger one. If your coffee tastes weak, lower the number by one. If it tastes harsh or heavy, raise it by one.
The water is also shown in US fluid ounces and cups, and the water field takes ml, fl oz or cups. One cup is 8 fl oz, about 237 ml, so 20 g of coffee at 1:16 needs 10.8 fl oz of water.
The tablespoon figure assumes about 5 g of ground coffee per level tablespoon. Scoops vary with grind size and roast, so a scale is more reliable.