Coffee To Water Ratio Calculator

The largest variable with most amount of impact on brewing coffee is the Brew Ratio, often called a 'Coffee To Water Ratio' or simply 'Ratio'. Different brew methods require different coffee to water ratios for different reasons.

Espresso usually have a 1:2 brew ratio as they are pressurise and extract quickly through a puck of ground coffee, the grind size for an espresso is ground significantly finer than pour over coffee as there needs to be resistance when brewing and to be able to extract the coffee quicker.  
Pour Over coffee on the other hand is ground much coarser than espresso and usually relies on gravity to pull the brew water through the ground coffee so less time and larger grind sizes are required to do this in an optimal way.

Understanding Ratios

A ratio is a way to compare two amounts of something. It tells us how much of one thing there is in relation to another. Ratios can be written in different ways, like "3 to 1", "3:1", or as a fraction 3/1. This means that for every 3 parts of one thing, there is 1 part of another. For example, if you mix 3 cups of water with 1 cup of juice, the ratio of water to juice is 3:1. Ratios help keep things consistent, like when following a recipe or making coffee with the right balance of coffee and water.

Use Coffee Ratios as a Starting Point

There is no 'right way' to brew or enjoy coffee, by all means you can make a 4hour long pour over coffee, with a 1:200 brew ratio. It probably won't taste too good but it can be done! It's important to know that coffee brew methods and recipes are subjective and it's up to you to experiment and explore to find out what you like.

In saying that, Brew Methods and Recipes offer a great place to start, by trying someone else's recommended way of making coffee whether that be a full recipe or just going off one of our recommended coffee ratios you can save a lot of time (and beans) and get closer to your perfect cup.

Espresso Brew Ratio

Espresso uses the tightest brew ratio out of everything else on this list, but it's not the smallest ratio. Espresso is generally brewed at a coffee ratio of 1:2 but similarly a ristretto is brewed at a coffee ratio of 1:1 and a Lungo of 1:3.
Often coffee ratios that fall between 1:1 - 1:3 are generally referred to as being an 'espresso'.

Pour Over Brew Ratio

Pour Over coffee is generally brewed at around 1:15 but depending on barista's preferences, brew methods and the coffee used you can find people brewing pour over coffee with a range between 1:14 - 1:16
With more coffee drippers being developed and more people offering their own unique interpretations on what pour over coffee should taste like we are seeing pour over coffee ratios widening and often are compensated by the dripper's flow rate, a more extreme grind size or whackier brew methods.

French Press Brew Ratio

There are multiple ways to brewing french press coffee most black coffee french press recipes call for a brew ratio of around 1:15 with a rang of around 1:14 - 1:16. But depending on if you plan on adding milk you may want to consider brewing a tighter ratio to compensate for the additional milk.

Batch Brew Brew Ratio

Batch brew is essentially a larger scale pour over method, typically brewed using automatic drip coffee makers or large pour over setups. The standard ratio for batch brew is 1:16, meaning 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams  of water. This balance allows for a clean and well extracted cup that works well for larger batches without being overly strong or weak. Some recipes may slightly adjust the ratio between 1:15 and 1:17, depending on the coffee used and the desired flavour profile.

Hario V60 Brew Ratio

The Hario V60, one of the most popular pour-over brewers, generally follows a 1:16 brew ratio. This ratio helps highlight the clarity and nuances of the coffee, particularly in single origin beans. Some baristas prefer a stronger brew at 1:15 or even a more diluted extraction at 1:17 to adjust strength and extraction balance. Since the V60 relies heavily on technique, factors such as pouring style, grind size, and bloom time play a significant role in determining the final taste.

Chemex Brew Ratio

The Chemex is known for producing a clean, crisp, and less oily cup due to its thick paper filters. The typical brew ratio for a Chemex is 1:15, slightly stronger than other pour over methods to compensate for the longer brewing time and extra filtration. Some variations can go up to 1:16 or 1:17 for a lighter body or 1:14 for a more intense brew.

AeroPress Brew Ratio (Standard Method)

The AeroPress is highly versatile, but a standard brew ratio typically falls around 1:15. This allows for a balanced extraction that maintains clarity while offering enough strength. Read our Basic AeroPress Recipe.

AeroPress Brew Ratio ('Espresso' Method)

When using the AeroPress Espresso method, the goal is to mimic the intensity of espresso, though it's not a true espresso due to lower pressure. A ratio of 1:3 is commonly used, creating a concentrated and bold shot that can be enjoyed straight or diluted into an Americano. Some recipes even push this down to 1:2 for an even more intense cup.

Moka Pot Brew Ratio

The Moka Pot is often considered a hybrid between espresso and traditional coffee brewing. It typically uses a 1:10 brew ratio, which results in a strong, concentrated coffee. The final strength is affected by factors such as grind size, heat application, and the specific Moka Pot model being used. While some people dilute their Moka Pot brew with hot water (similar to an Americano), others enjoy it as-is for a bold and intense experience.

You can also make an espresso like coffee with the Moka Pot, this is great as a base for milk based coffees such as Latte, Flat White or Cappuccino.

Cold Brew (Concentrate) Brew Ratio

Cold brew concentrate is often made using a 1:5 ratio, meaning 1 gram of coffee for every 5 grams of water. This results in a highly concentrated coffee that is usually diluted before drinking. The concentrate can be mixed with water, milk, or other beverages depending on the desired strength and flavour. Some recipes use ratios as strong as 1:4 for an extra punchy concentrate.

Cold Brew (Ready-to-Drink) Brew Ratio

Unlike the concentrate, ready-to-drink cold brew is typically brewed at a 1:14 ratio, similar to traditional hot coffee but with a smoother and less acidic taste. Since cold brewing extracts flavours differently from hot brewing, a slightly higher coffee to water ratio helps ensure a well balanced cup without excessive dilution. Some variations use a 1:12 ratio for a stronger cold brew or 1:15 for a lighter, tea-like experience.