How to use this calculator
Weigh the water you will pour over or mix with the coffee. Enter the water side of your desired ratio: for 1:16, enter 16. Adjust the ratio to taste and to your brewing method.
The formula
A worked example
To brew with 600 grams of water at 1:16, divide 600 by 16. Use 37.5 grams of dry coffee.
Assumptions & limitations
Uses mass, not scoop or cup volume. Input water is not the final drink yield because grounds retain water. The chosen ratio is an input, not a universally ideal brewing recommendation.
Common questions
Does a lower ratio make stronger coffee?
For the same water amount, a lower water-to-coffee number uses more coffee. Extraction and grind also affect taste.
Can I enter milliliters of water?
At typical kitchen conditions, 1 mL of water is approximately 1 g. Weighing your water avoids the approximation.
Supporting reference
The method above states this calculator’s assumptions. This reference provides related definitions and technical context.
Specialty Coffee Association: water and coffee ratios ↗Formula and worked example checked against automated test cases. About our methodology.