Coffee to Water Ratio Calculator

What a coffee-to-water ratio means

A brew ratio compares the weight of ground coffee to the weight of water. Written as 1:16, it means one gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water. Because one milliliter of water weighs almost exactly one gram, you can treat grams and milliliters of water as the same number. A lower second number (like 1:14) gives a stronger, bolder cup; a higher one (like 1:18) gives a lighter, more delicate brew. This calculator flips the math around so you can start from how much coffee you actually want to drink and get back the grams to weigh out.

Why weigh instead of scoop

Scooping is inconsistent — a heaping tablespoon of light-roast beans weighs differently than a level one of oily dark roast. A cheap kitchen scale removes the guesswork and makes every cup repeatable. That said, we still show an approximate tablespoon count (about 5 grams of grounds per tablespoon) for when a scale isn't handy.

How to use it

1. Enter how much brewed coffee you want and pick the unit — cups, milliliters, or fluid ounces. One "cup" here is 240 mL.
2. Set your brew ratio with the slider or type an exact number in the box (1:16 is a solid all-rounder).
3. Read off the grams of ground coffee and the grams/mL of water to add.
4. Weigh your coffee, heat your water, and brew. Adjust the ratio next time to taste.

FAQ

What ratio should I start with?

1:16 suits most drip and pour-over brewing. Go toward 1:15 for a stronger cup or 1:17–1:18 for lighter.

Does this work for French press or espresso?

Yes for immersion and pour-over. French press often likes 1:12–1:15. Espresso uses much tighter ratios (around 1:2) that are outside this everyday range.

How many grams is a tablespoon of coffee?

Roughly 5 grams, though it varies by grind and roast. The tablespoon figure is an estimate — weigh for accuracy.

Is my data uploaded anywhere?

No. Everything runs in your browser and nothing is sent to a server. Results are estimates, so tweak to your own taste.