Calculate precise coffee-to-water ratios for any brew method or estimate total coffee needs for events and daily consumption.
Note: Logic automatically multiplies this volume by the number of people below.
Inventory Mode: Calculating how many people you can serve with this total supply.
Monthly Mode: Calculating total supply needed for 30 days of this habit.
1:16 is the 'sweet spot' for most drinkers.
Coffee Needed
Dry weight
Total Water to Pour
Water Poured = Coffee × Ratio (SCA Standard)
For Espresso, aim for this Yield in the cup.
⚠️ High Absorption Note: With strong ratios (like 1:4), coffee grounds absorb ~40% of your water. To get 500ml of concentrate, you must pour nearly 900ml of water.
The "Golden Ratio" is the secret to coffee shop quality at home. It simply refers to the relationship between the amount of coffee grounds and water used.
A 1:16 ratio (our default) means for every 1 gram of coffee, you use 16 grams of water. This is widely considered the "Golden Cup Standard" by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) because it balances strength and flavor extraction perfectly.
Why weight instead of scoops? Coffee beans vary density. A tablespoon of dark roast weighs less than a tablespoon of light roast. Using a scale (grams) ensures your brew tastes exactly the same every morning.
| Method | Ratio Range | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Drip Machine / Pour Over | 1:15 to 1:17 | Clean, Balanced |
| French Press | 1:12 to 1:15 | Bold, Heavy Body |
| AeroPress | 1:11 to 1:16 | Versatile |
| Cold Brew (RTD) | 1:15 to 1:17 | Ready to Drink |
| Cold Brew (Conc.) | 1:4 to 1:5 | Concentrate (Needs Dilution) |
| Espresso | 1:2 | Concentrated, Rich |
| Turkish / Ibrik | 1:10 | Strong, Unfiltered |
Roughly 1 tablespoon of ground coffee weighs 5 to 7 grams, but it varies significantly by roast level and grind size. We use ~6g per tablespoon for our estimates.
Bitterness is usually due to over-extraction. Try using a coarser grind or increasing your ratio (more water relative to the amount of coffee).
Methodology: Our calculations are based on Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) standards using Total Water Poured.
Disclaimer: Taste is subjective; use these numbers as a starting point and adjust to your preference.