What is the standard coffee-to-water ratio?

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) recommends 60 g of coffee per litre of water, which is a 1:16.7 ratio by weight. In practical terms, this means about 1 g of coffee for every 16 to 17 g (or ml) of water. This ratio is a starting point; personal taste, grind size, brew method, and coffee origin all affect the ideal ratio for a given cup.

How do I measure coffee and water accurately?

The most accurate method is to weigh both coffee and water in grams using a kitchen scale. Water weighs 1 g per ml at room temperature, so 200 ml of water weighs 200 g. Measuring coffee by weight (rather than scoops or tablespoons) accounts for variation in grind size and bean density. A medium-coarse grind for filter coffee weighs roughly 7 to 8 g per tablespoon, but this varies significantly.

Why does espresso use a different ratio to filter coffee?

Espresso extracts coffee under high pressure (around 9 bar) in 25 to 30 seconds, which produces a concentrated beverage. A standard espresso uses a ratio of about 1:2 (e.g., 18 g of coffee yields 36 g of espresso liquid). Filter methods such as pour over or French press use a much higher water-to-coffee ratio (1:15 to 1:17) because extraction relies on gravity and time rather than pressure, and the result is consumed as a full cup rather than a concentrated shot.

Coffee Ratio Calculator

Calculate the exact amount of coffee or water for any brew method. Enter how much coffee you have (in grams) or how much water you want to use (in millilitres), choose a brew method or set a custom ratio, and the calculator instantly shows the matched amount.

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) golden ratio is 1:16.7 by weight (60 g per litre of water). Adjust to taste: a lower ratio produces stronger coffee, a higher ratio produces lighter coffee.

Calculate.co.nz is proud to be partnered with realtor.co.nz, a trusted resource for navigating the New Zealand property market. Their Helpful Articles section offers clear, well-structured insights across buying, selling, and building, making complex real estate topics more accessible. With a focus on up-to-date guidance and practical knowledge, they empower Kiwis to move forward with clarity and confidence in a constantly evolving property landscape.

Method verified 2026 Based on SCA brewing standards and standard brew ratios for common methods.

1. Brew Method and Ratio

Brew method (sets default ratio)

Custom ratio (1:X) e.g. 15 means 1 g coffee per 15 g water

: 1 coffee

Strength preference

2. Your Starting Amount

Choose whether you are starting with a known coffee amount or a known water amount.

I know my coffee (g)

I know my water (ml)

Coffee amount

Water amount

Number of cups

Your Brew Recipe

Coffee Needed
-
Grams

Water Needed
-
Millilitres

Ratio (1:X)

Coffee to water by weight

Per Cup

g coffee / ml water

Ratios at Different Cup Counts

Cups	Approx Water	Coffee (1 cup base)	Total Coffee	Total Water

Brew Breakdown

Brew method-

Ratio (1 part coffee to X parts water)-

Strength adjustment-

Effective ratio-

Number of cups-

Total coffee-

Total water-

Method Guide

Typical grind size-

Brew temperature-

Brew time-

Coffee per tablespoon (approx)7 to 9 g

Approx tablespoons coffee-

Approx cups of water-

Recipe: Select your brew method above.

How Coffee Ratios Work

A coffee ratio describes the proportion of coffee (in grams) to water (in grams or millilitres) used in brewing. Because water weighs 1 g per ml at room temperature, grams and millilitres are interchangeable for water in these calculations. The ratio is typically written as 1:X, where X is the number of parts water per part coffee. A ratio of 1:15 means 1 g of coffee for every 15 g of water.

Using weight rather than volume (scoops or tablespoons) gives consistent results because coffee density varies significantly depending on roast level and grind size. A kitchen scale accurate to 1 g is the best tool for repeatable results.

Standard Brew Ratios by Method

Method	Ratio (1:X)	Typical Coffee (per 250 ml cup)	Notes
Pour over / drip	1:16	15.6 g	Bright, clean cup. Medium grind.
SCA golden ratio	1:16.7	15 g	The Specialty Coffee Association standard for balanced filter coffee.
French press	1:15	16.7 g	Slightly stronger body. Coarse grind.
AeroPress	1:12	20.8 g	Concentrated. Fine to medium grind.
Cold brew concentrate	1:8	31.3 g	Brewed 12 to 24 hours. Dilute 1:1 to serve.
Espresso	1:2	N/A (18 g in, 36 g out)	High pressure extraction. Fine grind.
Moka pot	1:7	35.7 g	Stovetop espresso-style. Fine to medium grind.

Adjusting to Taste

The ratios above are starting points. If your coffee tastes too strong or bitter, increase the ratio (use less coffee or more water). If it tastes weak or watery, decrease the ratio. A ratio change of 1 (for example, from 1:16 to 1:15) makes a noticeable difference. Grind size, water temperature, brew time, and coffee freshness also affect extraction and perceived strength.

Worked Example

Using the SCA golden ratio (1:16.7) with 20 g of coffee and 1 cup:

Coffee: 20 g
Water: 20 x 16.7 = 334 ml
Ratio: 1:16.7
Per cup: 20 g coffee / 334 ml water

This matches the calculator's default output with 20 g coffee, SCA method, and 1 cup selected.

Related Calculators

Maths and Stats Calculators: full hub for ratios, percentages, and more.
Ratio Calculator: simplify or scale any ratio.
Grams to Cups Converter: convert ingredient weights to volume.
ml to Grams Calculator: convert millilitres to grams for liquids.

Sources and method: Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Brewing Standards (sca.coffee); Water and Coffee by Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood and Christopher Hendon (2015); standard brew guides from recognised specialty coffee educators. Ratios are by weight (g coffee to g water).

Ratios are by weight (grams). Water is treated as 1 g per ml. Brew time, grind size, water temperature, and coffee freshness all affect the final result. Adjust to personal taste.

If you've found a bug, or would like to contact us, or learn more about James Graham and Calculate.co.nz.

Calculate.co.nz is partnered with Interest.co.nz for New Zealand's highest quality calculators and financial analysis.

Calculate.co.nz is the sister site of CalculatorHub.com, the world's largest calculator website by tool count.

All calculators and tools are provided for educational and indicative purposes only and do not constitute financial advice.

Calculate.co.nz is proudly part of the Realtor.co.nz group, New Zealand's leading property transaction literacy platform, helping Kiwis understand the home buying and selling process from start to finish. Whether you're a first home buyer navigating your first property purchase, an investor evaluating your next acquisition, or a homeowner planning to sell, Realtor.co.nz provides clear, independent, and trustworthy guidance on every step of the New Zealand property transaction journey.

Calculate.co.nz is also partnered with Health Based Building and Premium Homes to promote informed choices that lead to better long-term outcomes for Kiwi households.

Calculate.co.nz is hosted in Auckland via SiteHost new Zealand.

All content on this website, including calculators, tools, source code, and design, is protected under the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand). No part of this site may be reproduced, copied, distributed, stored, or used in any form without prior written permission from the owner.

About & trust: Why Calculate is NZ's most comprehensive · By the Numbers · How we compare · Editorial standards · How we keep data current · NZ finance glossary · Research & data · Financial literacy NZ · About · Privacy policy · Terms of use

Reviewed and maintained. Last reviewed 2026-07-02 and checked on a twice-monthly cycle against IRD, RBNZ and Stats NZ. How we keep data current.