Coffee Ratio Calculator
Grams of coffee and water for your brew ratio.
Input sheet
DIY at your own risk. Calcora's calculators and guides are general estimates and information only — not professional, engineering, legal, or safety advice. Always verify local building codes and permit requirements, and hire a licensed pro for electrical, gas, plumbing, structural, or any work you're not fully comfortable doing yourself.
Consistent coffee comes from a consistent coffee-to-water ratio by weight. This calculator turns your water amount and a target strength into the exact grams of coffee to grind, so every brew tastes the same.
How it works
Coffee weight is water weight divided by the ratio; 1:16 is a common balanced pour-over strength.
The coffee weight is just the water weight divided by the ratio number. A 1:16 ratio means 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water — a balanced pour-over standard. Lower ratios (1:15, 1:12) brew stronger; higher ratios (1:17) brew lighter.
Brewing by weight beats brewing by scoops because bean density varies and grind settings change volume. A kitchen or coffee scale removes that variable, and since 1 ml of water weighs 1 gram, you can measure water in grams or milliliters interchangeably.
Coffee (g) = water (g) ÷ ratio number
Worked examples
500 g of water at a balanced 1:16 ratio. → 31.3 g of coffee (about 5.9 tablespoons)
500 ÷ 16 = 31.25 ≈ 31.3 g.
360 g of water for a bold French press at 1:12. → 30 g of coffee
360 ÷ 12 = 30 g.
Tips & gotchas
- Dial strength with the ratio, not the grind. Use the grind size to fix sourness (grind finer) or bitterness (grind coarser) once the ratio is set.
- French press and other immersion methods suit bolder ratios like 1:12–1:15; pour-over and drip shine around 1:16–1:17.
- A scale that reads to 0.1 g (roughly $15–25) makes the ratio repeatable — tablespoons drift with bean size and roast.
- Use water just off the boil, around 195–205°F, for most methods; water that is too cool under-extracts and tastes sour.
FAQ
What is a good ratio to start with?
1:16 — about 31 grams of coffee per 500 grams of water — is a reliable, balanced pour-over starting point. Adjust from there: go toward 1:15 for stronger, 1:17 for lighter.
Can I measure water in milliliters instead of grams?
Yes. Water's density is essentially 1 g per ml, so 500 ml and 500 g are interchangeable for brewing. Weighing is still more precise than reading a measuring jug.
Why use weight instead of tablespoons?
A tablespoon of coffee varies with bean size, roast level, and grind, so scoops are inconsistent. Weighing both coffee and water locks the ratio and makes a good brew repeatable.
Related calculators
Recipe Scaler · Baking Conversion Calculator · Oven Temperature Converter · Roast Cooking Time Calculator · Pizza Dough Calculator