Coffee Ratio Calculator

Calculate the perfect coffee-to-water ratio for drip, pour over, French press, AeroPress, or cold brew. Enter cups or ml and get exact grams of coffee grounds with SCA Golden Cup reference.

Coffee Grounds
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Water —
Ratio —
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ml
Coffee
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Ratio —
Brew Time —
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ml
Coffee
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SCA Golden Cup Range —
Bloom —
Grind Size —
Brew Temp —

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the number of cups (8 oz each).
  2. Select your brew method.
  3. Choose your preferred strength — light (1:18), medium (1:16), or strong (1:14).
  4. The calculator shows coffee in grams and water in ml.

Formula

Coffee (g) = Water (ml) ÷ Ratio
Example: 400ml water ÷ 16 = 25g coffee
SCA Golden Cup: 55–65g per liter (1:15.4 to 1:18.2)

Example

2 cups pour over at medium strength: 2 × 237ml = 474ml water ÷ 16 = 29.6g coffee. Bloom with 59ml water for 30 sec, then pour remainder in slow circles.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) Golden Cup standard is 55–65g of coffee per liter of water (1:15 to 1:18 ratio). A practical starting point is 1:16 — about 15g coffee per 240ml (8 oz) cup.
  • For an 8 oz cup at 1:16 ratio: 240ml ÷ 16 = 15g coffee. For a stronger 1:14 ratio: ~17g. For a lighter 1:18: ~13g. Using a scale gives much more consistent results than measuring by scoops.
  • Cold brew uses a much higher coffee ratio — typically 1:8 (regular strength) or 1:4 (concentrate). Use coarse grounds and steep 12–24 hours in the refrigerator. Dilute concentrate 1:1 before drinking.
  • Drip: medium. Pour over: medium-fine. French press: coarse. AeroPress: medium-fine to fine. Grind size affects extraction rate — finer grinds extract faster and stronger.

Related Calculators

Sources & References (4) ▾
  1. SCA Brewing Control Chart & Golden Cup Standard — Specialty Coffee Association
  2. World Atlas of Coffee by James Hoffmann — James Hoffmann
  3. The Coffee Roaster's Companion by Scott Rao — Scott Rao
  4. Barista Hustle Brewing Fundamentals — Barista Hustle