Coffee-to-Water Ratio Calculator
Enter how much water you're brewing and pick your method — get the exact coffee to use, in grams and tablespoons. Adjust the strength slider to taste. The starting ratios below follow the widely used golden ratio (about 1:16 by weight).
A kitchen scale is the reliable way to hit a ratio — tablespoons vary with grind and bean. 1 level tbsp of ground coffee ≈ 5 g.
Coffee-to-water ratios by brew method
| Method | Ratio (by weight) | Per 1 liter (1000 ml) water |
|---|---|---|
| Drip / auto | 1:16 | ~62 g coffee |
| Pour-over (V60, Chemex) | 1:16–1:17 | ~60 g coffee |
| French press | 1:12–1:15 | ~70–80 g coffee |
| AeroPress | 1:14–1:16 | ~65 g coffee |
| Cold brew (concentrate) | 1:8 | ~125 g coffee |
| Espresso* | 1:2 (dose : yield) | n/a — measured per shot |
*Espresso is measured differently — as a dose of grounds to a yield of liquid (e.g., 18 g in, 36 g out), not brewed by the pot — so it isn't in the calculator above.
The golden ratio, briefly
The "golden ratio" is about 1:16 to 1:18 by weight — 1 part coffee to 16–18 parts water, or roughly 55–60 grams of coffee per liter. It's a starting point, not a rule: a lower number means more coffee and a stronger, more extracted cup; a higher number means less coffee and a milder one. Change one variable at a time (the ratio), keep your grind and water the same, and dial in from there. The grind size matters just as much — see the coffee grind size guide.
Frequently asked
What is the best coffee-to-water ratio?
The widely used 'golden ratio' is about 1:16 to 1:18 by weight — 1 gram of coffee for every 16 to 18 grams (ml) of water, or roughly 55–60 grams of coffee per liter. That's the balanced starting point for drip and pour-over. From there, use a lower number (more coffee) for a stronger cup and a higher number for a milder one, and adjust to taste.
What is the coffee-to-water ratio for drip coffee?
About 1:16 to 1:17 by weight for a balanced drip pot — roughly 60 grams of coffee (about 8 tablespoons) per liter of water. If your drip coffee tastes weak and sour, use slightly more coffee (a lower ratio like 1:15); if it tastes bitter, use slightly less (1:17–1:18).
What is the coffee-to-water ratio for pour-over?
Pour-over (V60, Chemex) works best around 1:16 to 1:17 by weight — a common starting point is 1 gram of coffee per 16.7 grams of water (the classic 60 g/L). A kitchen scale makes pour-over consistent, since small changes in the ratio are easy to taste.
What is the coffee-to-water ratio for a French press?
French press is brewed stronger — about 1:12 to 1:15 by weight, or roughly 70–80 grams of coffee per liter. The longer steep and metal filter suit a higher coffee dose. Use a coarse grind so it does not over-extract during the four-minute steep.
How many tablespoons of coffee per cup?
About 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6-ounce cup, depending on strength. Tablespoons are imprecise because grind and bean density vary — 1 level tablespoon of ground coffee is roughly 5 grams — so weighing with a scale is more reliable. This calculator gives you both grams and an approximate tablespoon count.
More coffee guides: Coffee grind size selector · Coffee grind size guide · The best coffee grinders · Drip coffee makers