Coffee ratio calculator
Dial in the perfect cup. Choose a brew method or set your own ratio, enter how much coffee or water you’re starting with, and get the exact amounts to use — every time.
1 :
Lower = stronger, higher = lighter.
Use this much
Coffee
31.3 g
Water
500 g
Water in grams ≈ millilitres.
What is a coffee-to-water ratio?
A coffee-to-water ratio is the weight of water per gram of coffee, written like 1:16 (one gram of coffee to sixteen grams of water). Pour-over and filter sit around 1:15–1:17, French press around 1:12, cold brew concentrate near 1:8, and espresso about 1:2. Water weight in grams is roughly equal to volume in millilitres, so 500 g ≈ 500 ml.
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Coffee ratio FAQ
- What is the best coffee-to-water ratio?
- For filter and pour-over, 1:16 is a great starting point — strong but balanced. Go lower (1:15) for a bolder cup, higher (1:17) for a lighter one, then adjust to taste.
- What ratio should I use for French press?
- Around 1:12 works well for French press — it’s an immersion method, so a slightly higher coffee dose gives the body people expect. Many baristas run 1:12 to 1:15.
- How much coffee for cold brew?
- For a cold brew concentrate, use about 1:8 (one part coffee to eight parts water) and dilute to taste when serving. For ready-to-drink cold brew, use 1:15 or so.
- Is water measured in grams or millilitres?
- Either — for water they’re practically the same, since one millilitre of water weighs about one gram. A kitchen scale in grams is the most accurate way to brew consistently.