Coffee to Water Ratio Calculator
Dial in the exact grams of coffee and water for drip, pour-over, French press, cold brew, and espresso-style recipes. Start with the balanced 1:16 ratio, then adjust by taste.
Choose your brew size
Use your coffee maker’s cup markings or select your mug size.
Your brew recipe
Use grams when possible. Tablespoons are included as a rough backup.
Why grams beat tablespoons: scoop volume changes by roast level, grind size, and how packed the coffee is. A small scale gives you the same recipe every time.
See our recommended Hario V60 Drip Scale →Quick presets
Jump to common home brewing recipes.
The 1:16 “Golden Ratio” explained
The 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio means one gram of ground coffee for every sixteen grams, or milliliters, of water. It is a reliable starting point for balanced drip coffee and pour-over.
Move toward 1:15 for a heavier cup, or toward 1:17–1:18 if the coffee tastes too intense, bitter, or heavy.
Why tablespoons are only an estimate
Volume measurements are inconsistent because roast level, grind size, and scoop packing all change the actual weight of the coffee. A tablespoon of one coffee may not weigh the same as a tablespoon of another.
Mass is consistent. If a recipe calls for 25g of coffee, it is 25g whether you use light roast, dark roast, whole bean, or pre-ground coffee.
Coffee ratios by brew method
Different brewers extract at different rates, so use these as starting ranges and adjust by taste.
How to use the calculator
Step 1: Pick how many cups you are brewing, then match the cup size to your brewer or mug. Many drip machines treat one “cup” as 5 or 6 ounces, not 8 ounces.
Step 2: Choose a strength. Standard 1:16 is the safe starting point. If your coffee tastes weak, try 1:15. If it tastes harsh, try 1:17.
Step 3: Weigh your coffee. The tablespoon estimate is useful in a pinch, but grams will give you a much more repeatable brew.