Coffee to Water Ratio: worked example
| Water (milliliters) | 500 |
|---|---|
| Water-to-coffee ratio (1 : n) | 16 |
| Ground coffee (grams) | 31.3 |
| Water (US fluid ounces) | 16.9 |
Common error: Reading the ratio backward. A 1 to 15 brew is stronger than a 1 to 17 brew, since the coffee share is larger in the first.
Coffee to Water Ratio: formula
Grind size, water temperature, brew time and the beans all change strength independent of the ratio. The coffee absorbs about twice its weight in water, so the brewed cup is smaller than the water added. Espresso is specified by a ratio of dose to yield instead.
Fresh beans and clean equipment matter.
Enter the amount of water in milliliters and the water-to-coffee ratio as 1 to n. A common ratio is 1:16, meaning 16 grams of water per gram of coffee, and the range is about 1:15 for a stronger cup to 1:18 for a lighter one. A milliliter of water weighs one gram.
Weighing the coffee on a scale gives a more consistent cup than scoops.
Coffee to Water Ratio: changing Water (milliliters)
| Water (milliliters) | Ground coffee (grams) | Water (US fluid ounces) |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | 25 | 13.5 |
| 450 | 28.1 | 15.2 |
| 500 (example) | 31.3 | 16.9 |
| 550 | 34.4 | 18.6 |
| 600 | 37.5 | 20.3 |
Coffee to Water Ratio: compare input ranges
| Input | Tested from | To | Ground coffee (grams): low input | Ground coffee (grams): high input | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water-to-coffee ratio (1 : n) | 14 | 18 | 35.7 | 27.8 | 7.9 (25%) |
| Water (milliliters) | 450 | 550 | 28.1 | 34.4 | 6.3 (20%) |
Coffee to Water Ratio: individual input comparisons
| Input | Value | Ground coffee (grams) | Water (US fluid ounces) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water (milliliters) | 400 | 25 | 13.5 |
| 450 | 28.1 | 15.2 | |
| 500 | 31.3 | 16.9 | |
| 550 | 34.4 | 18.6 | |
| 600 | 37.5 | 20.3 | |
| Water-to-coffee ratio (1 : n) | 13 | 38.5 | 16.9 |
| 14 | 35.7 | 16.9 | |
| 16 | 31.3 | 16.9 | |
| 18 | 27.8 | 16.9 | |
| 19 | 26.3 | 16.9 |
Coffee to Water Ratio: combined input changes
| Water (milliliters) / Water-to-coffee ratio (1 : n) | 13 | 16 | 19 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 | 30.8 | 25 | 21.1 |
| 450 | 34.6 | 28.1 | 23.7 |
| 500 | 38.5 | 31.3 | 26.3 |
| 550 | 42.3 | 34.4 | 28.9 |
| 600 | 46.2 | 37.5 | 31.6 |
Coffee to Water Ratio: which assumptions move the result?
Coffee to Water Ratio: values and definitions
| Quantity and definition | Value used |
|---|---|
| Water (milliliters) | 500 |
| Water-to-coffee ratio (1 : n) — Grams of water per gram of coffee. 15 to 17 is a common brewing range. | 16 |
| Ground coffee (grams) | 31.3 |
| Water (US fluid ounces) | 16.9 |
Coffee to Water Ratio: half and double Water-to-coffee ratio (1 : n)
| Water-to-coffee ratio (1 : n) | Ground coffee (grams) |
|---|---|
| 8 | 62.5 |
| 16 | 31.3 |
| 32 | 15.6 |
Cooking & Kitchen calculators: Recipe Cost Per Serving Calculator, Recipe Scaling Calculator, Baking Pan Size Calculator.
Brewing by weight removes the guesswork that scoops leave in. A ratio of 1 to 16 means 16 grams of water for each gram of coffee, so 500 milliliters wants about 31 grams. Water weighs one gram per milliliter, which is why volume and weight agree here.
A smaller ratio number brews stronger coffee, and a larger one brews weaker.
Weigh the coffee on a scale that reads to a tenth of a gram. A heaped scoop can vary by several grams from one cup to the next.
Scale the amounts on the recipe scaling calculator, cost the recipe on the cost per serving calculator and convert amounts on the cooking measurement converters. The pan size and unit price calculators help elsewhere in the kitchen, and the electricity cost page covers the machine.
What is the best coffee to water ratio?
About 1:16 by weight is a common starting point, and most people settle between 1:15 and 1:18 depending on taste.
How many grams of coffee do I need for 500 ml?
About 31 grams at a 1:16 ratio, or 28 to 33 grams across the usual range.
Why weigh coffee instead of using scoops?
Scoops vary with the grind and roast, while weighing on a scale gives the same strength cup after cup.