Coffee-to-Water Ratio Calculator
Calculate the perfect ratio of coffee to water for any brewing method.
Coffee Ratio Guide by Brew Method
| Method | Ratio | Grind | Brew Time | Water Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pour-over | 1:15 to 1:17 | Medium-fine | 3-4 min | 200°F / 93°C |
| French press | 1:12 to 1:15 | Coarse | 4 min | 200°F / 93°C |
| Espresso | 1:2 | Very fine | 25-30 sec | 200°F / 93°C |
| Cold brew | 1:5 to 1:8 | Extra coarse | 12-24 hrs | Room temp / cold |
| AeroPress | 1:12 to 1:16 | Medium-fine | 1-2 min | 175-205°F / 80-96°C |
| Moka pot | 1:7 | Fine (not espresso) | 3-5 min | Stovetop |
| Drip machine | 1:15 to 1:17 | Medium | 5-6 min | Auto (195-205°F) |
Tips for Better Coffee
Water quality matters. Use filtered water — chlorine and minerals affect taste significantly. Water should be 195-205°F (90-96°C) for hot brewing. Boiling water scorches coffee.
Grind fresh. Coffee begins losing flavor within 15 minutes of grinding. A burr grinder produces more consistent particle sizes than a blade grinder.
1 tablespoon ≈ 5g of ground coffee. A kitchen scale is the most accurate way to measure, but tablespoons work in a pinch.
How to use the coffee-to-water ratio calculator
The single biggest lever on how your coffee tastes is the ratio of coffee to water, expressed as 1 gram of coffee to so many grams of water (a "1:16" ratio, for example). This calculator turns your chosen ratio and cup size into exact grams of coffee and millilitres of water for any brew method, so you can repeat a good cup instead of guessing with scoops.
Different methods suit different ratios. Filter and pour-over brewing (V60, Chemex, drip) sits around 1:15 to 1:17; French press is similar at about 1:15; and espresso is far more concentrated at roughly 1:2 (18 g of coffee for a 36 g shot). Cold brew uses a much stronger 1:8 concentrate that you dilute later. A lower ratio (more coffee) tastes stronger and can turn bitter; a higher ratio tastes lighter and can go sour or weak.
Tips
Weigh your coffee — a "scoop" varies enormously with grind and bean. Match grind to method: coarse for French press and cold brew, medium for drip, fine for espresso. Water temperature matters too: 195–205°F (90–96°C) is the sweet spot for most brewing. If your coffee tastes bitter, use slightly less coffee or a coarser grind; if it tastes sour or thin, use a bit more coffee or a finer grind.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good coffee-to-water ratio?
Around 1:16 for filter and pour-over is a reliable starting point — 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams (ml) of water. Adjust toward 1:15 for a stronger cup or 1:17 for a lighter one.
How much coffee for one mug?
For a 350 ml mug at 1:16, that's about 22 g of coffee. The calculator does this for any cup size and ratio instantly.
Why weigh instead of using scoops?
A tablespoon of coffee can vary by 30% depending on the grind and bean density, which noticeably changes strength. Weighing in grams makes a good cup repeatable.
Written by Nicolas Martin. Last updated July 2026 · How we keep our tools accurate →