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
Water
Ratio
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Coffee
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Coffee
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