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Coffee Ratio Calculator Guide
Great coffee comes down to the ratio of coffee to water. This calculator tells you exactly how much ground coffee to use for any amount of water, at the strength you like.
Coffee weight = water weight ÷ ratio. A 1:16 ratio means 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams (ml) of water — the popular "golden ratio" for balanced brews.
The Golden Ratio
Most specialty coffee sits between 1:15 and 1:18. A 1:16 ratio is a great all-round starting point: for 500 ml of water, that's about 31 grams of coffee. Go lower (1:15) for a stronger cup or higher (1:18) for a milder one.
Ratios by Brew Method
Pour-over and drip commonly use 1:16 to 1:17. French press works well around 1:15 to 1:16. Stronger methods and personal taste vary, so treat these as starting points and adjust to your preference. Espresso uses a very different ratio (closer to 1:2) and isn't covered here.
Why Weigh Instead of Scoop?
Scoops are inconsistent because grinds vary in density, while weighing coffee and water gives repeatable results every time. A small kitchen scale is the single best upgrade for consistent coffee. If you don't have one, about 1 level tablespoon of ground coffee weighs roughly 5 grams.
Water weighs the same as its volume — 1 milliliter of water is 1 gram — so you can measure water by volume and coffee by weight and the ratio still holds.
Related: Pizza Dough Calculator, Brine Calculator, and Volume Converter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best coffee-to-water ratio?
A 1:16 ratio (1 gram of coffee per 16 grams of water) is a popular balanced starting point; use 1:15 for stronger and 1:18 for milder coffee.
How much coffee for 500 ml of water?
At a 1:16 ratio, 500 ml of water needs about 31 grams of ground coffee, which is roughly 6 level tablespoons.
How many grams is a tablespoon of coffee?
One level tablespoon of ground coffee weighs about 5 grams, though this varies with grind size and bean density.
Why weigh coffee instead of using scoops?
Grinds vary in density, so scoops are inconsistent, while weighing coffee and water gives repeatable, reliable results every time.
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