Find how much ground coffee to use for your water volume at a chosen brew ratio.
Usage Tip
Weigh both coffee and water for the most repeatable cup.
What Is a Coffee-to-Water Ratio?
A coffee-to-water ratio is the weight of ground coffee compared to the weight of water, written as 1:X – so 1:16 means 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams (16 ml) of water. It is the single most important number for a repeatable cup: lock the ratio and you control strength. The calculator above turns your water amount and ratio into the exact grams of coffee, plus how many cups it makes.
Because 1 ml of water weighs about 1 g, you can measure water by volume or weight – they are effectively the same for brewing. Weighing the coffee, though, is what makes the ratio exact.
Brew Ratio & Strength Chart
| Ratio | Strength |
|---|---|
| 1:18 | Mild |
| 1:17 | Light |
| 1:16 | Balanced |
| 1:15 | Strong |
| 1:14 | Very strong |
A higher second number means more water per gram of coffee, so a weaker cup; a lower number means a stronger one. Most people land between 1:15 and 1:17. The “Golden Ratio” often cited is roughly 1:16 to 1:18.
Brewing Method Guide & Comparison
| Method | Typical ratio | Grind |
|---|---|---|
| Pour over | 1:16 | Medium-fine |
| Drip coffee | 1:17 | Medium |
| French press | 1:15 | Coarse |
| AeroPress | 1:15–1:17 | Medium-fine |
| Cold brew | 1:5–1:8 (concentrate) | Coarse |
| Moka pot | ~1:10 | Fine |
Pour-Over
Pour-over (V60, Chemex, Kalita) gives a clean, bright cup. Use about 1:16, a medium-fine grind, and water at 94–96°C (200°F). Start with a 30–45 second bloom (twice the coffee weight in water), then pour in slow stages, finishing around 2:30–3:30 total.
Drip Coffee
Automatic drip machines work well at 1:17 with a medium grind. Make sure the bed is even and the machine reaches 92–96°C; many budget machines brew too cool, which under-extracts.
French Press
French press is full-bodied and forgiving. Use 1:15, a coarse grind, water at 93–96°C, steep about 4 minutes, then press slowly. Coarse grind keeps the cup from turning muddy and bitter.
AeroPress
The AeroPress is the most flexible – anything from 1:15 to 1:17 works, with a medium-fine grind and a 1–2 minute brew. Lower temperatures (80–90°C) suit lighter roasts.
Cold Brew
Cold brew steeps coarse grounds in cold water 12–18 hours. Brew a concentrate at 1:5 to 1:8, then dilute to taste (often 1:1 with water or milk). The long, cold extraction gives a smooth, low-acid result.
Grind Size Recommendations
| Method | Grind |
|---|---|
| Cold brew, French press | Coarse |
| Pour over, drip | Medium to medium-fine |
| AeroPress | Medium-fine |
| Moka pot | Fine (not espresso-fine) |
| Espresso | Very fine |
Grind is the main lever for extraction speed: finer extracts faster (more body, risk of bitterness), coarser slower (cleaner, risk of sourness). Match the grind to the method first, then fine-tune.
Water Temperature
For most brewing, aim for 90–96°C (195–205°F) – just off the boil. Boiling water can scorch and over-extract; too cool under-extracts and tastes sour and weak. Lighter roasts can take the hotter end; cold brew uses no heat at all.
Coffee Strength Guide
Strength is how concentrated the brew is, set mostly by the ratio. Want it stronger? Lower the ratio (more coffee) rather than over-extracting with a finer grind or longer time, which adds bitterness instead of strength. Want it milder? Raise the ratio or dilute the finished cup with hot water (an Americano-style move).
Brewing & Extraction Troubleshooting
| Taste | Cause / fix |
|---|---|
| Sour, thin, weak | Under-extracted – grind finer, hotter water, or longer brew. |
| Bitter, harsh, dry | Over-extracted – grind coarser, cooler water, or shorter brew. |
| Strong but flat | Ratio fine, but stale beans or uneven grind – check freshness. |
| Weak no matter what | Use more coffee (lower ratio); do not just brew longer. |
Coffee Freshness Tips
Coffee is best 7–21 days after roast – it needs a few days to degas, then fades. Buy whole bean, grind right before brewing, and store in an airtight, opaque container away from heat and light. Do not freeze daily-use coffee in a way that exposes it to repeated condensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best coffee-to-water ratio?
Around 1:16 for a balanced cup – 1 g of coffee per 16 g (16 ml) of water. Use 1:15 for stronger, 1:17 for lighter. Enter your water amount above for the exact grams.
How much coffee for 500 ml of water?
About 31 g at 1:16, or roughly 29 g at 1:17. The calculator works it out for any amount and ratio.
What ratio for French press?
About 1:15 with a coarse grind, steeped 4 minutes. That is a bit stronger than pour-over because the brew is fuller-bodied.
What ratio for cold brew?
1:5 to 1:8 for a concentrate you dilute later, or about 1:15 for ready-to-drink. Steep coarse grounds 12–18 hours cold.
Should I measure by weight or volume?
Weigh the coffee for accuracy. Water can be measured either way since 1 ml is about 1 g.
Printable Brew Ratio Chart
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