Brewing and Coffee Ratio Calculator

Find Your Perfect Coffee-to-Water Balance

Discover the ideal ratio for your taste and brew method. Whether you love a rich French Press, a clean Pour Over, a convenient Auto Drip, or a precise Espresso, this page helps you dial in strength, cup size, and yield—fast. Use the guide below to get consistent, delicious results with specialty-grade coffee from General Warfield’s Coffee®.

What Is a Coffee Ratio?

A coffee ratio tells you how much water to use for every gram of coffee. For example, a 1:16 ratio means 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams (ml) of water. Adjusting the ratio changes how strong, sweet, and balanced your cup tastes.

  • 1:15 — Stronger, more intense body and sweetness.
  • 1:16 — Balanced, crowd-pleasing clarity and sweetness.
  • 1:17 — Lighter, cleaner, more delicate cup.

Different brew methods extract differently, so your sweet spot may vary. Use the calculator below to set your method, pick a ratio, and instantly see the recommended coffee and water.

Best Brewed With

Roast Level
Medium

Select a brew method to see the guide.

Smart Brew Calculator

Pick a method above, then fine-tune below.

Choose your strength:

Higher coffee-to-water (1:15) = stronger • Lower (1:17) = lighter

Display units / convert to:

Switch between ounces and milliliters instantly.

Cup Size

Recommended Measurements:

30 g coffee → 480 g water

Tip: Choose Espresso above to switch to shot mode.

Brewing Method Tips

Every brew method highlights different flavor notes, textures, and aromas. Here’s how to make the most of your chosen style.

Pour Over

Produces a clean, aromatic cup with layered flavors. Use a medium-fine grind, rinse the filter, and pour slowly in circles for even extraction.

French Press

Creates a full-bodied brew with rich texture. Use a coarse grind, steep for 4 minutes, and press gently to avoid sediment in your cup.

Auto Drip

Reliable and convenient for daily brewing. Use a medium grind and fresh filtered water to bring out balanced sweetness and aroma.

Espresso

Intense and complex, with natural crema. Use a fine grind, 18-gram dose, and a 25–32-second pull for ideal flavor and mouthfeel.

Why Ratio Accuracy Matters

The coffee-to-water ratio is the foundation of a perfect brew. Even a small adjustment can transform your cup’s strength, sweetness, and balance. Too much coffee can create bitterness and harshness, while too little results in a weak, under-extracted taste.

At General Warfield’s Coffee®, every roast is artisan-crafted to achieve the perfect harmony of sweetness, low acidity, and smooth body. By dialing in your ratios at home, you’ll experience the same balance and flavor precision our roasters strive for in every batch.

Ready to Brew Like a Pro?

Taste the difference that precision, passion, and quality make. Explore our Fair-Trade & USDA Organic specialty-grade coffees— roasted in small batches and nitrogen-flushed for unmatched freshness.

Shop Specialty Coffees

Each purchase plants a mangrove tree in Madagascar 🌱 — a small act with a big impact.

Brewing & Ratio FAQ

Quick answers to common questions about coffee ratios, grind size, and dialing in your perfect cup.

What does a 1:16 ratio mean in plain English?
A 1:16 ratio means 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams (ml) of water. Example: 30 g coffee → 480 g (ml) water. It’s a balanced starting point for most pour-over and drip brews.
How do I choose between 1:15, 1:16, and 1:17?
Think of it as strength and body:
  • 1:15 – stronger, heavier body.
  • 1:16 – balanced, crowd-pleaser.
  • 1:17 – lighter, cleaner cup.
If your cup tastes thin, move toward 1:15. If it’s too heavy or bitter, move toward 1:17.
What grind size should I use for each brew method?
As a guide:
  • Espresso: fine (table salt)
  • Pour Over: medium-fine (between table salt & sand)
  • Auto Drip: medium (granulated sugar)
  • French Press: coarse (kosher salt)
If your coffee tastes bitter, coarsen the grind. If it tastes sour, go a bit finer.
Why do you recommend weighing water in grams instead of ounces?
Precision and simplicity. A gram is both mass and (for water) effectively a milliliter. That makes ratio math effortless: just divide total water grams by your chosen ratio to get coffee grams.
What water temperature should I use?
Aim for 195–205°F (90–96°C). Lighter roasts often shine near 203–205°F; darker roasts can benefit from 195–200°F to reduce bitterness.
My coffee tastes “off.” Should I change grind or ratio first?
Adjust grind first (it affects extraction the most), then fine-tune the ratio. For thin/sour cups, grind finer; for bitter/astringent cups, grind coarser. Then nudge ratio as needed.

Brew Better in 5 Minutes

Quick, science-backed tips for sweeter, clearer cups — no fuss.

Read the Guide