How to use the coffee ratio calculator
- Choose your brew method, or pick custom to set your own ratio.
- Enter how much water you will use — or how much coffee you have.
- Weigh the coffee in grams on a kitchen scale, or use the tablespoon estimate.
The formula
Coffee (g) = Water (g or mL) ÷ Ratio Water (g) = Coffee (g) × Ratio Brewed coffee ≈ Water − 2 × Coffee (grounds hold back about twice their weight)
Worked examples
- Pour-over: 500 mL of water at 1:16 → 500 ÷ 16 = 31 g of coffee, making about 440 mL.
- French press: 20 g of coffee at 1:15 → 300 mL of water.
- Cold brew: 1 litre of water at 1:8 → 125 g of coarse coffee.
- Espresso: 18 g in at 1:2 → 36 g of espresso in the cup.
Ratios by brew method
| Method | Ratio | Grind | Brew time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pour-over (V60, Chemex, Kalita) | 1:15 – 1:17 | Medium-fine | 2½–4 min |
| Drip coffee maker | 1:16 – 1:18 | Medium | 4–6 min |
| French press | 1:12 – 1:15 | Coarse | 4 min |
| AeroPress | 1:11 – 1:16 | Fine–medium | 1–2 min |
| Moka pot | 1:7 – 1:10 | Fine | 4–5 min |
| Cold brew concentrate | 1:4 – 1:5 | Coarse | 12–24 h |
| Espresso (in : out) | 1:2 | Very fine | 25–30 s |
Dialing in your coffee
- Too weak or watery? Use more coffee (a lower ratio like 1:15) or grind a little finer.
- Too bitter or harsh? Grind coarser, shorten the brew, or use slightly less coffee.
- Sour or thin? Usually under-extracted: grind finer or use hotter water (195–205 °F / 90–96 °C).
- Change one thing at a time so you know what made the difference.
Why weigh coffee?
A tablespoon of ground coffee can weigh anywhere from about 4 to 7 grams depending on roast, grind and how heaped it is. Dark roasts are less dense than light roasts, so the same scoop holds less coffee. A simple kitchen scale removes the guesswork and lets you repeat a great cup every morning. Because 1 mL of water weighs 1 g, you can weigh the water too — just tare the scale with your brewer on it.
Coffee “cups” vs mugs
Coffee makers measure a “cup” as 5–6 fl oz, not the 8 fl oz of a measuring cup, and most mugs hold 10–12 oz. When a recipe says “2 tablespoons per cup”, it usually means per 6 oz of water. This calculator works in millilitres and fluid ounces so you can brew for any size mug or carafe.
For a big batch — a party urn or a thermos for a road trip — the same ratio applies: 2 litres of water at 1:17 needs about 118 g of coffee.
Fresh beans make the biggest difference
Whole beans ground just before brewing keep far more aroma than pre-ground coffee. Store beans in an airtight container away from light and heat, and use them within a few weeks of the roast date.