# Coffee to Water Ratio Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/food/coffee-ratio/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The coffee ratio calculator works out how much coffee and water to use for a chosen brew strength, such as 1:16 for pour-over or 1:8 for cold brew concentrate.

## Inputs

- Coffee (g, oz)
- Ratio (coffee : water)

## Results

- Water
- Brewed cups (≈240 mL)

## Formula

```
Water = coffee × ratio
Coffee = water ÷ ratio
```

## Explanation

The Specialty Coffee Association’s Golden Cup standard is roughly 1:18 by weight; many people prefer 1:15–1:17.

### How to use the Coffee to Water Ratio Calculator

- **Coffee**
- **Ratio (coffee : water)**
- Want to work backwards? Type a value into **Water** and **Coffee** is calculated for you.

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Multiply the coffee dose by the ratio to get the water weight (1 g of water ≈ 1 mL).

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterCoffeeUnits: g, ozRatio (coffee : water)Choose one: 1:15 (strong), 1:16 (balanced), 1:17, 1:18 (light) …

### What each result means

- **Water** = [Coffee]×[Ratio (coffee : water)]
- **Brewed cups (≈240 mL)** = [Coffee]×[Ratio (coffee : water)]×0.9÷240

### Example values

How the main result changes when **Coffee** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

Coffee (g)Water (g / mL)101601524020320254003048040640

## Worked example

Inputs — Coffee: 20 g; Ratio (coffee : water): 1:16 (balanced).

Results — **Water = 320 g / mL**; Brewed cups (≈240 mL) = 1.2.

## FAQ

**Why weigh coffee?**
Scoop volume varies with grind and bean, so grams give consistent results.

**Why do I get less coffee than water used?**
Grounds absorb about twice their weight in water.

**What formula does the Coffee to Water Ratio Calculator use?**
Water = coffee × ratio.

**Can I work backwards from the result?**
Yes. Type the result you want into Water and the calculator finds the matching coffee.


## Sources

- [Specialty Coffee Association – Brewing standards](https://sca.coffee/research/coffee-standards)