Get the perfect coffee to water ratio for any brewing method. Enter your brew method, brew size, and strength preference — and the calculator returns the exact grams of coffee you need, plus your water volume, recommended water temperature, grind size, and ideal brew time. Also try the Coffee Calculator.
Coffee Needed
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Water Volume (ml)
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Water Volume (oz)
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Brew Ratio
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Water Temperature
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Grind Size
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Brew Time
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The Specialty Coffee Association recommends a general ratio of 1:15 to 1:18 (coffee to water by weight). For a standard cup, 1 gram of coffee per 15–18 grams of water is a solid starting point. Adjust based on your taste preference — stronger drinkers lean toward 1:13 or 1:15, while milder drinkers prefer 1:18. See also our Coffee Ratio Calculator.
For pour-over methods like the V60, a ratio of 1:15 to 1:16 is most common. This produces a clean, bright cup with balanced flavor. Use a medium-fine grind and water around 195–205°F for best results.
French press works best with a ratio of 1:15 to 1:17. Because French press is an immersion method, it produces a fuller-bodied brew, so a slightly coarser grind is recommended. Steep for 3–4 minutes and use water at 195–200°F.
Chemex typically uses a 1:15 to 1:17 ratio. Its thick paper filter produces an exceptionally clean cup, so a medium-coarse grind works well. Brew time is generally 4–5 minutes, and water temperature should be 195–205°F. You might also find our Espresso Shot Calculator useful.
Moka pots use a much higher coffee concentration — roughly 1:7 to 1:10 — producing a strong, espresso-like brew. The coffee chamber should be filled level with a fine grind. Because the ratio is so concentrated, Moka pot coffee is often diluted with hot water or milk.
Water temperature varies by roast level. Light roasts brew best at 199–205°F, medium roasts at 194–200°F, and dark roasts at 188–194°F. Cooler temperatures reduce bitterness in darker roasts, while lighter roasts need hotter water for full extraction. Cold brew is brewed with cool or room-temperature water.
Grind size controls extraction rate. A finer grind extracts faster and produces more intensity, while a coarser grind extracts slower and yields a lighter body. Matching grind to brew method — fine for Moka pot, coarse for French press, medium-fine for most others — ensures balanced extraction and avoids bitterness or sourness.
A standard coffee scoop holds about 10 grams of ground coffee. For a 1:16 ratio with 8 oz (237 ml) of water, you need roughly 15 grams — about 1.5 scoops. A kitchen scale gives the most consistent results, but scoops work as a practical approximation.