A great cup of coffee starts with balance. And one of the most important elements in achieving that balance is the coffee brew ratio. Understanding how much coffee to use in relation to water is a fundamental skill every beginner barista should learn.
Whether you’re brewing with a French press, pour-over, or an espresso machine, the right coffee-to-water ratio can make all the difference in flavor, strength, and clarity.
What Is a Brew Ratio?
A brew ratio is the relationship between the amount of coffee grounds and the amount of water you use. It’s usually written as a ratio—something like 1:15 or 1:17. This means for every 1 gram of coffee, you use 15 to 17 grams of water.
For example:
- 20g of coffee with a 1:15 ratio = 300g (ml) of water
- 20g of coffee with a 1:17 ratio = 340g (ml) of water
The smaller the second number, the stronger the coffee. The larger the number, the lighter or more diluted the brew.
Common Brew Ratios by Method
Here’s a quick guide to recommended starting points:
- French Press: 1:15 to 1:17
- Pour-Over (e.g. Hario V60, Chemex): 1:16
- Drip Machine: 1:15
- Aeropress: 1:14 (or even stronger for espresso-style)
- Espresso: Typically 1:2 (very concentrated)
- Cold Brew: 1:5 to 1:8 for concentrate (dilute with water or milk before serving)
Tools You’ll Need
To brew accurately, it’s helpful to use a kitchen scale. While scoops and tablespoons might work in a pinch, weighing your coffee ensures consistency and precision. A basic digital scale is affordable and improves your coffee instantly.
Pro tip: Always measure both coffee and water by weight (grams), not volume (cups or ounces), for the most consistent results.
Tasting and Adjusting
No single ratio fits everyone. Use the common guidelines above as a starting point, then adjust to your taste.
- Does your coffee feel too weak? Decrease the water or increase the coffee.
- Is it too strong or bitter? Use a bit more water next time.
Experimentation is part of the learning process. By keeping notes of your ratios and results, you’ll quickly discover what works best for your taste preferences.
The Golden Ratio for Beginners
If you’re new and want a solid starting point, go with:
🔸 1:16 ratio (e.g. 20g coffee to 320g water)
This strikes a good balance between strength and smoothness, especially for pour-over or drip methods.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the coffee brew ratio is like learning the rhythm of great coffee making. With just a little attention to numbers and a scale, you can take your home brews from “meh” to “wow” in no time. It’s a simple shift that makes a big difference—just like a real barista would do.
So next time you make coffee, measure it. Your taste buds will thank you.
