Coffee Ratio Calculator
The exact coffee and water for your perfect brew ratio.
- Coffee
- 31.3 g
- Water
- 500 ml
- Ratio
- 1:16
- Coffee in tablespoons
- 5.9 tbsp
- Strength
- Balanced
- A 1:16–1:17 ratio (about 60 g of coffee per litre) is a popular “golden ratio” starting point. The SCA Golden Cup standard is a touch milder at roughly 1:18 (55 g per litre).
- Lower the ratio number for a stronger brew, raise it for a milder cup.
- Weighing coffee and water beats scooping — grind size and water temperature matter too.
Saved setups
Save your settings to reuse them later. They’re stored only on this device — nothing is uploaded.
What is the Coffee to Water Ratio Calculator?
Great coffee comes down to ratio, and this calculator nails it. Set your brew ratio — 1:16 is the classic “golden cup” starting point — then enter either your water amount or your coffee weight, and it gives you the other. Lower the ratio for a stronger cup, raise it for a milder one. It works for pour-over, French press, drip and batch brewing, and weighing rather than scooping is what makes the result repeatable.
How to use the Coffee to Water Ratio Calculator
- 1 Tap your brew method, or set the ratio by hand.
- 2 Choose whether you’re starting from water or coffee.
- 3 Enter the amount you know.
- 4 Weigh out the coffee and water the calculator gives you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best coffee-to-water ratio? +
A 1:16–1:17 ratio — roughly 60 g of coffee per litre of water — is a popular “golden ratio” starting point. The Specialty Coffee Association’s Golden Cup standard is slightly milder at about 1:18 (55 g per litre). Adjust to taste: a smaller number is stronger, a bigger number is milder.
How much coffee for a 12-cup pot? +
A 12-cup carafe is roughly 1.8 litres, so at 1:16 you’d use about 110 g of coffee. Enter your exact water amount for a precise figure.
How accurate are the results? +
The figures come from standard, tested references (USDA FoodData Central and King Arthur Baking) and are excellent starting points. Ovens, ingredients and equipment vary, so treat the numbers as a reliable guide and adjust to taste and doneness.
Is this calculator free, and does it send my data anywhere? +
Yes — it’s completely free and runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded or stored on a server; the maths happens on your device, even offline once the page has loaded.