What is the ideal coffee-to-water ratio for brewing?

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I’ve been trying to improve my home coffee brewing, but I keep getting inconsistent results – sometimes my coffee tastes too weak and watery, other times it’s overpoweringly strong and bitter. I’ve read various articles and watched YouTube videos, but everyone seems to give different measurements. Some people talk in tablespoons, others use grams, and some just eyeball it. I have a standard drip coffee maker at home, but I’m also interested in trying a French press and pour-over methods in the future. I’m wondering: what is the ideal coffee-to-water ratio for brewing? Should the ratio change depending on the brewing method I’m using? And should I be measuring by weight or by volume for the most consistent results?

Coffee-to-Water Ratio for Brewing

Standard Ratio

The ideal coffee-to-water ratio is 1:15 to 1:18 (coffee to water by weight), which translates to approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 ounces of water.

Detailed Ratios by Measurement

By Weight (Most Accurate)

  • 1:15 ratio = 1 gram of coffee to 15 grams of water (stronger brew)
  • 1:16 ratio = 1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water (balanced)
  • 1:17 ratio = 1 gram of coffee to 17 grams of water (medium strength)
  • 1:18 ratio = 1 gram of coffee to 18 grams of water (lighter brew)

By Volume

  • Standard measurement: 2 tablespoons (10 grams) of ground coffee per 6 fluid ounces (180 ml) of water
  • Alternative measurement: 1 to 2 tablespoons per cup (6 oz)
  • Metric measurement: 55-65 grams of coffee per liter of water

Ratios by Brewing Method

Drip Coffee Maker

  • 1:15 to 1:17 ratio
  • 60-70 grams per liter
  • 2 tablespoons per 6 ounces
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Pour Over (V60, Chemex, Kalita)

  • 1:15 to 1:17 ratio
  • 60 grams per liter for stronger taste
  • 30 grams of coffee to 500 grams of water (common recipe)

French Press

  • 1:12 to 1:15 ratio (stronger due to immersion brewing)
  • 65-75 grams per liter
  • 2 tablespoons per 4 ounces

Cold Brew

  • 1:4 to 1:8 ratio for concentrate
  • 1:5 ratio = 200 grams coffee to 1 liter water (concentrate)
  • Dilute concentrate 1:1 or 1:2 with water or milk before drinking

Espresso

  • 1:2 to 1:3 ratio (coffee to liquid output)
  • 18-20 grams of coffee for 36-60 grams of espresso
  • Ristretto: 1:1.5 ratio
  • Normale: 1:2 ratio
  • Lungo: 1:3 ratio

AeroPress

  • 1:14 to 1:16 ratio for standard method
  • 1:5 to 1:8 for concentrated method (then dilute)
  • 15-18 grams coffee to 220-250 grams water (standard)

Moka Pot

  • Fill the basket completely without tamping
  • Approximately 1:7 to 1:10 ratio
  • 20-22 grams of coffee yields about 150-180 ml of coffee

Turkish Coffee

  • 1:10 to 1:12 ratio
  • 1 tablespoon (7-8 grams) per 3 ounces (90 ml) of water

Siphon/Vacuum Pot

  • 1:15 to 1:16 ratio
  • 25 grams coffee to 400 grams water

Common Measurements for Different Quantities

For 1 Cup (8 oz / 237 ml)

  • 13-15 grams of coffee
  • 1.5 to 2 tablespoons

For 2 Cups (16 oz / 473 ml)

  • 26-30 grams of coffee
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons

For 4 Cups (32 oz / 946 ml)

  • 52-60 grams of coffee
  • 6 to 8 tablespoons

For 8 Cups (64 oz / 1.9 L)

  • 104-120 grams of coffee
  • 12 to 16 tablespoons (3/4 to 1 cup)

For 12 Cups (96 oz / 2.8 L)

  • 156-180 grams of coffee
  • 18 to 24 tablespoons (1 to 1.5 cups)
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Industry Standards

Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Golden Ratio

  • 55 grams of coffee per liter of water (1:18.18 ratio)
  • Range: 50-65 grams per liter acceptable
  • Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): 1.15% to 1.35%
  • Extraction yield: 18% to 22%

National Coffee Association (NCA)

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons per 6 ounces
  • Approximately 10-20 grams per 180 ml

Factors Affecting Ideal Ratio

Grind Size

  • Finer grind: use less coffee or more water (higher ratio number)
  • Coarser grind: use more coffee or less water (lower ratio number)

Roast Level

  • Light roasts: may require slightly more coffee (1:15 ratio) for fuller flavor
  • Medium roasts: standard 1:16 to 1:17 ratio
  • Dark roasts: can use less coffee (1:17 to 1:18 ratio) as flavors are more pronounced

Brewing Time

  • Shorter brew time: lower ratio (more coffee)
  • Longer brew time: higher ratio (less coffee)

Water Temperature

  • Higher temperature (195-205°F / 90-96°C): extracts more efficiently
  • Lower temperature: may need more coffee or longer brewing time

Personal Taste Preference

  • Stronger/bolder: 1:13 to 1:15 ratio
  • Balanced/standard: 1:15 to 1:17 ratio
  • Lighter/milder: 1:17 to 1:18 ratio

Conversion Reference

Weight to Volume Approximations

  • 1 tablespoon of ground coffee = approximately 5-7 grams (varies by grind and density)
  • 1 cup of ground coffee = approximately 120-140 grams
  • 1 coffee scoop (standard) = 2 tablespoons = 10-14 grams

Water Measurements

  • 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = 237 ml
  • 1 liter = 33.8 fluid ounces = 4.23 cups
  • 6 ounces = 177 ml (traditional coffee cup measurement)

Starting Points for Experimentation

Beginner’s Starting Ratio

  • Start with 1:16 ratio (62.5 grams per liter)
  • Adjust by 5-10 grams up or down based on taste
  • Keep all other variables constant when adjusting
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Adjustment Guidelines

  • Too weak/sour: use more coffee (lower ratio number)
  • Too strong/bitter: use less coffee (higher ratio number)
  • Adjust in small increments (0.5-1 gram per cup)

Published: October 5, 2025