Strong (1:15)
Medium-Strong (1:16)
Standard / Golden Ratio (1:17)
Mild (1:18)
Espresso (1:2)
Cold Brew Concentrate (1:8)
Brewing Recipe
Mastering the Coffee to Water Ratio
The secret to a perfect cup of coffee isn't just the beans or the equipment; it's the chemistry between coffee and water. Professional baristas use the "Golden Ratio" to ensure optimal extraction, avoiding the bitterness of over-extraction or the sourness of under-extraction.
What is the Golden Ratio?
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) defines the golden ratio as 1:18 (1 gram of coffee for every 18 grams of water). However, most coffee enthusiasts prefer a range between 1:15 and 1:17 for a richer flavor profile.
Brew Method
Recommended Ratio
Strength Profile
French Press
1:15
Bold & Heavy
Pour Over
1:16 – 1:17
Balanced & Clean
Drip Machine
1:17
Standard
Cold Brew
1:8
Concentrated
Espresso
1:2
Intense
Real-World Example
If you are using a standard Hario V60 pour-over and want to make a large mug (approx. 340ml), using a 1:17 ratio would require exactly 20 grams of coffee. Simply divide your total water weight by the ratio number to find your coffee dose, or multiply your coffee dose by the ratio to find your target water weight.
Why use grams instead of spoons?
Coffee beans vary in density based on roast level. Dark roasts are less dense (larger volume for less weight), while light roasts are dense. Using a digital scale and this calculator ensures consistency regardless of the bean type you use.
function calculateFromCoffee() {
var coffee = parseFloat(document.getElementById('coffeeGrams').value);
var ratio = parseFloat(document.getElementById('brewRatio').value);
var resultArea = document.getElementById('coffeeResultArea');
var resultText = document.getElementById('resultText');
var resultDetail = document.getElementById('resultDetail');
if (isNaN(coffee) || coffee <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid amount of coffee in grams.");
return;
}
var waterNeeded = (coffee * ratio).toFixed(0);
resultArea.style.display = 'block';
resultText.innerHTML = "Use " + waterNeeded + " ml of water";
resultDetail.innerText = "Calculated for " + coffee + "g of coffee at a 1:" + ratio + " ratio.";
}
function calculateFromWater() {
var water = parseFloat(document.getElementById('waterML').value);
var ratio = parseFloat(document.getElementById('brewRatio').value);
var resultArea = document.getElementById('coffeeResultArea');
var resultText = document.getElementById('resultText');
var resultDetail = document.getElementById('resultDetail');
if (isNaN(water) || water <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid water volume in milliliters.");
return;
}
var coffeeNeeded = (water / ratio).toFixed(1);
resultArea.style.display = 'block';
resultText.innerHTML = "Use " + coffeeNeeded + " grams of coffee";
resultDetail.innerText = "Calculated for " + water + "ml of water at a 1:" + ratio + " ratio.";
}