Coffee Brewing Ratios Cheat Sheet
Coffee-to-water ratios, grind size and water temperature for seven brewing methods. All ratios by weight (grams) for consistency. Pin to the kitchen wall or keep with your coffee gear.
Brewing ratios by method
Ratios written as coffee:water by weight. A 1:15 ratio means 1 g of coffee per 15 g of water. Always weigh by grams for reproducible results; volume scoops vary with grind size and coffee density.
| Method |
Ratio (coffee:water) |
Example (300 ml cup) |
Grind size |
Water temp |
Brew time |
| Espresso |
1:2 (by yield) |
18 g in → 36 g out |
Extra fine |
92–96°C / 198–205°F |
25–30 s |
| Moka pot |
1:7 to 1:10 |
Fill basket level |
Fine (not espresso) |
Cold water start |
5–8 min |
| AeroPress (espresso style) |
1:6 to 1:10 |
15 g + 90–150 ml |
Fine to medium-fine |
80–96°C / 176–205°F |
1–2 min |
| AeroPress (filter style) |
1:12 to 1:16 |
19 g + 240 ml |
Medium |
85–96°C / 185–205°F |
1.5–3 min |
| Pour over (V60, Kalita, Chemex) |
1:15 to 1:16 |
20 g + 300 ml |
Medium |
92–96°C / 198–205°F |
3–4 min |
| French press |
1:15 to 1:17 |
20 g + 300 ml |
Coarse |
93–96°C / 200–205°F |
4 min steep |
| Drip / filter machine (SCA) |
1:15 to 1:18 |
17 g + 300 ml |
Medium |
90–96°C / 194–205°F |
5–8 min |
| Cold brew (concentrate) |
1:4 to 1:5 |
75 g + 300 ml |
Coarse |
Cold / room temp |
12–24 h |
| Cold brew (direct / ready to drink) |
1:8 |
38 g + 300 ml |
Coarse |
Cold / room temp |
12–24 h |
Espresso ratio is measured as input coffee to output liquid espresso (yield), not water used. The machine uses roughly 35–45 ml of water to produce 36 g of espresso. Water temp for moka pot: always start with cold water; it heats up during brewing.
SCA Golden Cup Standard. The Specialty Coffee Association recommends a brew ratio of 55 g of coffee per litre of water (1:18) for filter and drip methods at 90–96°C, targeting a total dissolved solids (TDS) of 1.15–1.35%. This is a good baseline for filter machines; adjust to taste from there. Stronger preference = move toward 1:15.
Grind size reference
| Grind size | Feel | Methods that use it |
|---|
| Extra fine | Like powdered sugar / flour | Espresso (commercial), Turkish coffee |
| Fine | Like table salt | Espresso (home), moka pot, AeroPress short |
| Medium-fine | Like fine sand | Pour over (V60), AeroPress filter |
| Medium | Like beach sand | Drip machine, Kalita Wave, Chemex, AeroPress |
| Coarse | Like raw sugar / sea salt | French press, cold brew, percolator |
| Extra coarse | Like coarse ground pepper | Cold brew (long steep), Cowboy coffee |
Ratio quick-scaling guide
Using a 1:15 ratio as the base. Adjust to taste.
| Coffee (g) | Water (ml) | Water (ml) at 1:17 | Cup size |
|---|
| 10 g | 150 ml | 170 ml | Small / ristretto-style |
| 15 g | 225 ml | 255 ml | Standard single cup |
| 20 g | 300 ml | 340 ml | Large cup / travel mug |
| 30 g | 450 ml | 510 ml | Two cups / large press |
| 55 g | 825 ml | 935 ml | Full 1 L French press |
| 65 g | 975 ml | 1,105 ml | Full 1 L Chemex |