Coffee Ratio Calculator
Calculate the ideal coffee-to-water ratio for 8 brew methods — espresso, pour over, French press, AeroPress, cold brew, drip machine, moka pot, and Turkish coffee. Enter grams of coffee or ml of water and get the other amount instantly.
Brew Method
1:15–17 — bright, clean
I know my…
Coffee
20g
Water
319ml
≈ Cups (8 oz)
1.3
All Brew Methods at a Glance
Coffee-to-water ratios by mass (g:ml). Click a method row to select it. Adjust to taste.
Coffee-to-water ratio explained
Coffee ratios are expressed as coffee:water by mass (grams to grams or grams to millilitres — water's density makes these equivalent). A 1:15 ratio means 1g of coffee for every 15g of water. Most specialty coffee is brewed between 1:12 and 1:18, with lower ratios producing stronger coffee and higher ratios producing lighter coffee.
What ratio should I use for pour over?
The Specialty Coffee Association recommends a golden ratio of approximately 55g of coffee per litre of water (1:18.2) for filter coffee, but most specialty pour over brewers use 1:15 to 1:17 for a more concentrated and flavourful cup. V60 recipes from prominent brewers like James Hoffmann often use around 60g/L (1:16.7). Start at 1:15 and adjust based on taste — stronger or weaker.
Why does espresso have such a different ratio?
Espresso uses a 1:2 ratio (e.g., 18g of coffee yields 36g of espresso) because the extraction process is completely different — pressurised hot water passes through finely ground coffee in 25–30 seconds. The result is a concentrated shot with high dissolved solids. A 1:2 ratio is standard; 1:1.5 (ristretto) is shorter and more intense; 1:3 (lungo) is longer and more dilute.
Should I measure coffee by weight or volume?
Measuring by weight (grams) is far more accurate and consistent than measuring by volume (tablespoons or scoops). The density of ground coffee varies significantly by roast level, grind size, and how compacted the grounds are. A kitchen scale with 1g resolution is the single most impactful upgrade for consistent coffee at home.
