What is the best coffee to water ratio?
The best coffee to water ratio for most brewing is 1:15 to 1:17 by weight. The Specialty Coffee Association's Golden Cup standard is 55 g of coffee per liter of water, close to 1:18. Start at 1:16 and adjust one step at a time.
| Method | Ratio | Per liter | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pour over (V60, Kalita) | 1:16 | 62 g | 20 g coffee, 320 ml water |
| Chemex | 1:16 | 62 g | 30 g coffee, 480 ml water |
| French press | 1:15 | 67 g | 34 g coffee, 500 ml water |
| AeroPress | 1:16 | 62 g | 15 g coffee, 240 ml water |
| Drip machine | 1:16 | 62 g | 60 g coffee, 1 L water |
| Cold brew concentrate | 1:5 | 200 g | 200 g coffee, 1 L water |
| Moka pot | 1:10 | 100 g | 20 g coffee, 200 ml water |
Ratios are by weight. 1 ml of water weighs 1 g. The calculator subtracts 2 ml of water per gram of coffee that the grounds absorb, which is why total volume is less than water in.
How much coffee for 8 cups?
For 8 cups on a drip machine, use about 60 g of coffee, or 12 level tablespoons. A drip machine "cup" is 5 oz (150 ml), so an 8 cup pot holds 1.2 liters of water.
4 cups
30 g6 tbsp · 600 ml
8 cups
60 g12 tbsp · 1.2 L
10 cups
75 g15 tbsp · 1.5 L
12 cups
90 g18 tbsp · 1.8 L
Why does my coffee taste weak or bitter?
Weak coffee means too little coffee for the water. Move one step stronger, from 17:1 to 16:1. Bitter coffee is over-extracted. Grind coarser or move one step weaker. Sour coffee is under-extracted. Grind finer or use hotter water before changing the ratio.
Common questions
How many tablespoons of coffee per cup?
Use 2 level tablespoons (about 10 g) of ground coffee per 6 oz cup of water. For an 8 oz mug, use 15 g, which is a heaping 2 tablespoons. A tablespoon of coffee weighs 5 to 7 g depending on roast and grind, so a scale is more reliable.
What is the golden ratio for coffee?
The golden ratio is 1:18 by weight, or 55 g of coffee per liter of water. It comes from the Specialty Coffee Association's Golden Cup standard. Most home brewers prefer slightly stronger, around 1:16, which is 62 g per liter.
How much coffee for 1 liter of water?
At 1:16, use 62 g of coffee for 1 liter of water. At 1:15, use 67 g. At 1:18, use 55 g. For a 34 oz French press, which holds about 1 liter, 67 g at 1:15 is a good starting point.
Is the coffee ratio by weight or by volume?
By weight. Coffee beans vary in size and density by origin, roast level, and grind, so a scoop of light roast weighs more than the same scoop of dark roast. Weighing both coffee and water in grams is the only way to repeat a brew exactly.
What does 1:16 mean?
1:16 means 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water. For 20 g of coffee, that is 320 g of water. The first number is always coffee and the second is water, so a smaller second number makes a stronger cup.
How much coffee do I need for multiple cups?
Multiply one serving by the number of cups and keep the ratio the same. One 8 oz cup at 1:16 takes 15 g of coffee and 240 g of water, so four cups take 60 g of coffee and 960 g of water. Enter the total coffee in the calculator and the water updates.
What water temperature should I use?
Use water between 195°F and 205°F (90°C to 96°C) for pour over, drip, and French press. Water that is too hot pulls out bitter compounds. Water that is too cool under-extracts and tastes sour. Boil, then wait 30 to 45 seconds before pouring.