Coffee to Water Ratio: How Much Coffee per Cup?
The ideal coffee to water ratio for drip, pour-over, French press, AeroPress and cold brew, with a free calculator, charts and tablespoon conversions.
Updated September 26, 2026
Coffee to Water Ratio Calculator (Grams, Cups & Tbsp)
Enter how many cups you want, how much coffee you have, or how much water you’re using, and get exact amounts for your brew method. Adjust the ratio slider to make your coffee stronger or lighter.
Coffee-to-water ratio calculator
Lower number = stronger coffee. Most people like 1:15 to 1:17.
Coffee
33.8 g
≈ 6.8 tbsp · 1.19 oz
Water
541 g
541 ml · 18.3 fl oz
Coffee in the cup
≈ 473 ml
16 fl oz after grounds absorb water
Weigh coffee and water on a scale for repeatable results. Tablespoon conversions are approximate (≈5 g per level tablespoon of ground coffee, but this varies with grind and bean).
How to use the coffee ratio calculator
- Pick your brew method. Each method loads a sensible default ratio.
- Choose what you know: the number of cups you want, the coffee you have, or the water you’re using.
- Tune the strength. Slide toward 1:14 for bolder coffee, toward 1:18 for lighter.
- Weigh it out. Put your brewer on a scale, tare, add coffee, then pour to the water target.
What “1:16” actually means
A brew ratio compares the weight of ground coffee to the weight of water. At 1:16 you use 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water, so 20 g of coffee gets 320 g of water. Because 1 g of water is 1 ml, you can use either a scale or a measuring jug for the water — but weighing coffee is far more accurate than scooping.
Recommended ratios by brew method
| Method | Ratio | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Pour-over (V60, Kalita) | 1:15 – 1:17 | 15 g coffee : 250 g water |
| Drip coffee maker | 1:15 – 1:18 | 60 g coffee : 1,000 g water |
| French press | 1:14 – 1:16 | 30 g coffee : 450 g water |
| AeroPress | 1:12 – 1:16 | 15 g coffee : 225 g water |
| Chemex | 1:15 – 1:17 | 30 g coffee : 500 g water |
| Cold brew concentrate | 1:4 – 1:8 | 100 g coffee : 500 g water |
| Espresso | 1:2 (dose : yield) | 18 g in : 36 g out |
For espresso, use our espresso ratio calculator; for cold brew batches, the cold brew calculator factors in dilution.
Why your cup is smaller than the water you poured
Coffee grounds absorb about twice their weight in water and hold onto it. Brew 20 g of coffee with 320 g of water and you’ll get roughly 280 ml in the cup. When you calculate by cups, this calculator adds that water back so you end up with the amount you actually want to drink.
Ratio is only half the story
If coffee tastes weak but you’re already at 1:15, the problem is probably extraction, not ratio. Grind finer or brew a little longer. If it’s bitter and harsh, grind coarser. Our grind size chart shows where to start for each method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best coffee to water ratio?
A ratio between 1:15 and 1:17 (1 gram of coffee for every 15–17 grams of water) suits most drip and pour-over brewing. 1:16 is a great starting point. Go lower (1:15) for stronger coffee and higher (1:17) for lighter coffee.
How many grams of coffee per cup?
For an 8 fl oz (237 ml) cup at 1:16, use about 17 grams of coffee — roughly 3 level tablespoons of ground coffee. A 12 oz mug needs about 25 grams.
How many tablespoons of coffee per cup?
About 3 level tablespoons (roughly 5 g each) of ground coffee per 8 oz cup at a 1:16 ratio. Tablespoons are imprecise because grind size and bean density change how much coffee fits in a spoon, so weighing in grams is more reliable.
What ratio should I use for French press?
Many people prefer a slightly stronger 1:15 for French press, such as 30 g of coarse coffee to 450 g of water, steeped for about 4 minutes.
Does water weight equal water volume?
Yes, for practical brewing purposes 1 gram of water equals 1 milliliter, so you can read a scale in grams and a measuring jug in milliliters interchangeably.
Related guides
Coffee Grind Size Chart: From Turkish to Cold Brew
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More free calculators
Pour-Over TimerGuided pour schedule for V60, Kalita, Chemex and French press.Cold Brew CalculatorHow much coffee and water for concentrate or ready-to-drink cold brew.Espresso Ratio CalculatorTarget yield for any dose, plus a shot-time troubleshooter.Caffeine CalculatorAdd up your daily caffeine from coffee, tea, soda and more.