Coffee Calculator
Great coffee starts with the right ratio of coffee to water. This calculator gives you the exact amount of grounds and water for your preferred brew method and strength, whether you are making a single cup or a full pot.
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) recommends a starting ratio of about 55 to 65 grams of coffee per liter of water for most drip and pour-over methods. French press typically uses a slightly higher dose because the metal mesh filter allows more body and oils through, while espresso concentrates the brew into a small, intense shot.
Cold brew uses a higher coffee-to-water ratio (around 1:12 by weight) because the low temperature extracts flavor more slowly, and the concentrate is usually diluted before serving. AeroPress falls somewhere between drip and French press depending on your recipe.
Grind size matters just as much as ratio. Finer grinds extract faster, so espresso uses a very fine grind with short contact time, while French press uses a coarse grind with 4 minutes of steeping. If your coffee tastes bitter, try a coarser grind or slightly less coffee. If it tastes sour or weak, go finer or add a bit more.
One standard coffee cup is 6 fluid ounces (177 mL), which is smaller than a typical mug. If your mugs hold 12 oz, count each mug as 2 cups.