The coffee-to-water ratio guide: how much coffee per cup
The ratio of coffee to water is the single easiest thing to adjust for a better cup.
The starting point
A common starting point is about 1 gram of coffee to 15–17 grams of water (1:15 to 1:17). The SCA's "golden cup" guidance is in this range. Weighing with a kitchen scale is far more accurate than scoops, because beans vary in density.
Ratio cheat sheet
| Method | Starting ratio | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Drip machine | 1:16 | 60 g coffee : 960 g (ml) water |
| Pour-over | 1:16 | 20 g coffee : 320 g water |
| French press | 1:15 | 30 g coffee : 450 g water |
| AeroPress | 1:12 to 1:16 | 15 g coffee : 200 g water |
| Cold brew concentrate | 1:5 to 1:8 | 100 g coffee : 600 g water; dilute to taste |
1 ml of water weighs about 1 g, so you can measure water in either.
No scale? Use this
About 2 level tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 fl oz (180 ml) of water is a reasonable approximation for drip.
How to adjust
- Too strong or heavy? Add a little more water (move toward 1:17).
- Too weak or watery? Use a little more coffee (toward 1:15).
- Bitter or harsh? Try a slightly coarser grind or a shorter brew time.
- Sour or thin? Try a slightly finer grind or hotter water.
Change one variable at a time, and note what you did.