Last updated October 12, 2026 · Report an error
Coffee brewing ratios are usually described as a ratio of water to coffee by weight — 1:16 (standard), for example, means 16 grams of water for every 1 gram of coffee. Getting this ratio right is the single biggest factor in avoiding coffee that tastes weak or bitter.
This calculator takes your water amount and desired strength, and tells you exactly how many grams of coffee to use.
How it works
Enter how much water you're using (in milliliters) and pick a strength — mild (1:18), standard (1:16), or strong (1:14). The tool divides your water amount by the ratio to give you the coffee weight in grams.
- Enter water (ml).
- Enter strength.
- Click Calculate to see your results.
Examples
500ml at a standard ratio
500ml of water at a standard 1:16 ratio needs about 31.3g of coffee.
Who should use it
- Brewing a consistent cup of coffee at home.
- Scaling a coffee recipe up for a larger batch (like a carafe or coffee urn).
Industry applications
- Home and specialty coffee brewing
Advantages
- Removes the guesswork from scaling a recipe up or down for different batch sizes.
- Uses standard, widely-referenced brewing ratios.
Limitations
- Ratios here are for drip/pour-over style brewing — espresso and other concentrated methods use different ratios entirely.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Measuring coffee by volume (scoops) rather than weight, which can vary significantly between different roasts and grind sizes.
- Using the same ratio for every brew method — espresso, for example, uses a much more concentrated ratio than drip coffee.
Best practices
- Use a kitchen scale for both water and coffee to keep your ratio consistent between brews.
Tips
- If your coffee tastes bitter, try a milder ratio (more water per gram of coffee) before assuming the beans themselves are the problem.