Cooking & Kitchen

Coffee Ratio Calculator

Brew ratio is the weight of water per gram of coffee. A 1:16 ratio is a popular starting point for filter coffee.

The result tells you how many millilitres of water to use for the coffee dose entered, so the brew stays at the ratio you chose.

Formula

Water (ml) = coffee (g) x brew ratio.

How it works

A lower ratio, like 1:14, gives a stronger cup; a higher ratio, like 1:17, gives a lighter one. Small changes make a noticeable difference.

Weighing both coffee and water removes the biggest source of inconsistency in home brewing — scoops and cup sizes vary too much.

Worked example

For example, 20 g of coffee at a brew ratio of 16 gives 20 x 16 = 320 ml of water.

FAQs

What ratio should I start with?
1:16 is a safe middle ground for pour-over and filter coffee. Adjust up or down to taste from there.

Is the ratio the same for espresso?
No. Espresso uses a much lower ratio, around 1:2, because far less water passes through the coffee.

Does 1 ml of water equal 1 g?
Yes, close enough for brewing: at room temperature, 1 ml of water weighs about 1 g.

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