Cooking & Kitchen

Rice Water Ratio Calculator

Different rice types absorb different amounts of water. Pick a ratio and scale it to the rice you are cooking.

The result tells you how many cups of water to measure out for the cups of rice you entered at the ratio you chose.

Formula

Water = rice x water-to-rice ratio.

How it works

White rice commonly uses 1.5 cups of water per cup of rice, while brown rice needs more, around 2 cups, and a longer cook.

Rinsing rice before cooking removes surface starch and gives fluffier grains. Letting it rest covered for ten minutes after cooking helps too.

Worked example

For example, 2 cups of rice × 1.5 cups of water per cup = 3.00 cups of water.

FAQs

Why does my rice turn mushy?
Usually too much water, or lifting the lid during cooking, which lets steam escape unevenly.

Does the ratio change for brown rice?
Yes. Brown rice has its bran layer intact, so it absorbs more water and needs a longer cook.

Can I use the same cup for rice and water?
Yes — as long as you use the same cup for both, the ratio holds regardless of cup size.

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