Coffee Ratio Calculator
Type either amount and the other follows: g, ml, tbsp, scoops, fl oz or cups.
Common coffee to water ratios by brew method
Common starting points; adjust to taste.
| Method | Common range | Default | Coffee per litre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pour over / V60 | 1:15 – 1:17 | 1:16 | 62.5 g |
| Drip machine | 1:15 – 1:18 | 1:17 | 58.8 g |
| French press | 1:12 – 1:15 | 1:15 | 66.7 g |
| AeroPress (standard) | 1:12 – 1:16 | 1:15 | 66.7 g |
| Cold brew concentrate | 1:4 – 1:8 | 1:8 (dilute to taste) | 125 g |
| Cold brew ready to drink | 1:12 – 1:15 | 1:15 | 66.7 g |
| Espresso (dose:yield) | 1:1.5 – 1:3 | 1:2 | — |
| SCA Golden Cup | ≈ 1:18 | 1:18 | 55.6 g |
SCA Golden Cup: the Specialty Coffee Association's 55 g of coffee per litre of water, ±10%.
How the coffee ratio affects strength
1:X is 1 part coffee to X parts water, weighed. 1 ml of water weighs 1 g, so ml and g read the same. Espresso is the exception: X is the espresso in the cup, not the water going in.
The lower the X, the stronger the cup. 1:12 brews strong and concentrated; 1:18 brews light. Too strong? Press + to use more water per gram of coffee. Too weak? Press −.
X counts the water you pour. Wet grounds keep roughly twice their own weight, so the cup comes out a little short of that.
Coffee ratio FAQ
How much coffee per cup?
15 g for a 240 ml mug at 1:16. About 3 tablespoons.
How much coffee for 500 ml of water?
31.3 g at 1:16.
How much coffee for a 12-cup coffee maker?
At the drip default of 1:17: 150 ml cups (1,800 ml) take 105.9 g, about 21 tablespoons; 180 ml cups (2,160 ml) take 127.1 g, about 25½ tablespoons.
Can I use tablespoons instead of a scale?
Yes, roughly. A tablespoon of ground coffee is about 5 g, anywhere from 5 to 7 g with grind and roast. A standard scoop is 2 tablespoons, about 10 g. A kitchen scale is far more consistent.