Coffee to Water Ratio Calculator (Pour-Over, French Press, Espresso)
Coffee to water ratio calculator
Ratios are typical starting points: adjust to taste. Espresso ratios are coffee dose to finished beverage weight, not water. Caffeine: USDA FoodData Central averages (brewed coffee, espresso).
Enter the amount of coffee, water or cups above and pick a brew method: the calculator fills in the other side using the method’s typical ratio, which you can change to taste.
Coffee to water ratios by brew method
| Method | Typical ratio (coffee : water) | Coffee for one 8 fl oz cup (237 ml) | Coffee per litre of water |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCA Golden Cup standard | 55 g per litre (about 1:18) | 13.0 g | 55 g |
| Pour-over / drip | 1:16 | 14.8 g | 62.5 g |
| French press | 1:15 | 15.8 g | 66.7 g |
| AeroPress | 1:15 | 15.8 g | 66.7 g |
| Moka pot | 1:7 | 33.9 g | 142.9 g |
| Cold brew concentrate | 1:5 (then dilute about 1:1) | 47.4 g | 200 g |
| Espresso | 1:2 by finished drink weight | 18 g dose for about 36 g of espresso | - |
The figures are arithmetic from each ratio (water divided by the ratio), rounded to 0.1 g. Ratios are starting points, not rules: a stronger cup uses a lower second number (1:14), a lighter one a higher number (1:17).
How the ratio works
The ratio is weight of ground coffee to weight of water. Water weighs about 1 gram per millilitre, so millilitres and grams can be used interchangeably for brewing. For a 1:16 pour-over with 300 ml of water you need 300 / 16 = 18.8 g of coffee. See our pour over coffee guide for grind size and technique.
If you are shopping: — Matched-to-your-taste from 55+ independent roasters.
Espresso is the exception: its ratio compares the dry coffee dose to the weight of the finished shot in the cup, because most of the water passes through the puck. A classic double uses about 18 g of coffee for about 36 g of espresso.
How much caffeine?
USDA FoodData Central lists brewed coffee at 40 mg of caffeine per 100 g, which is about 95 mg in an 8 fl oz cup, and espresso at 212 mg per 100 g, about 64 mg in a 1 fl oz shot. Caffeine in French press, moka pot and cold brew depends heavily on grind, steep time and dilution, so the calculator does not estimate it for those methods.
Sources
- Specialty Coffee Association, brewing best practices and the Golden Cup standard: sca.coffee.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, FoodData Central, SR Legacy: coffee, brewed (FDC 171890) and coffee, espresso (FDC 171891): fdc.nal.usda.gov.
P.S. A few readers have asked which coffee subscriptions we actually reach for — it's Trade Coffee Subscription; if you want the current details.
Take the taste quiz and see your match
Matched-to-your-taste coffee subscription from 55+ independent roasters