Coffee Ratio Calculator – Water to Coffee
Enter your coffee dose and a golden ratio to get the exact amount of water. Everything runs in your browser — no signup.
Enter your coffee weight to see the water amount.
How it works
What is the coffee-to-water ratio?
The brew ratio is the proportion of ground coffee to water, written as 1:N. A 1:16 ratio means 16 grams of water for every 1 gram of coffee. The 'golden ratio' for filter coffee sits between 1:15 and 1:18 — lower numbers give a stronger, heavier cup and higher numbers a lighter, more delicate one.
How to use this calculator
Weigh your coffee in grams, pick a ratio, and the calculator multiplies the two to give the water in grams. Because 1 gram of water is almost exactly 1 millilitre, the same number works as millilitres. Start at 1:16 and adjust to taste on your next brew.
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best coffee-to-water ratio?
1:16 is a reliable starting point for filter coffee. Go to 1:15 for a stronger cup or 1:18 for a lighter one.
›Is 1 gram of water the same as 1 ml?
Yes, near room temperature 1 g of water equals about 1 ml, so you can use the result as either grams or millilitres.
›What ratio should I use for espresso?
Espresso uses much tighter ratios (about 1:2). This calculator targets pour-over and drip brewing.
›Do I need a scale?
A scale gives the most consistent results, but you can approximate: a level tablespoon of ground coffee is roughly 5 g.
›Why does my coffee taste bitter or sour?
Bitterness often means too little water (over-extraction); sourness means too much water or too coarse a grind. Adjust the ratio and grind size.
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