Brew math
Coffee Ratio Chart by Brew Method
Most home coffee problems come from changing too many variables at once. Start with a reliable ratio, keep grind and water temperature steady, and adjust one click at a time.
| Method | Starting ratio | 20 g coffee uses | Best first adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pour over | 1:16 | 320 g water | Grind finer for sour cups, coarser for bitter cups. |
| French press | 1:15 | 300 g water | Adjust steep time before changing ratio. |
| AeroPress | 1:12 to 1:16 | 240 to 320 g water | Short recipes tolerate finer grinds. |
| Cold brew concentrate | 1:4 | 80 g water | Dilute after brewing instead of weakening the batch. |
| Cold brew ready-to-drink | 1:8 | 160 g water | Steep longer if thin, grind coarser if muddy. |
| Drip machine | 1:16 to 1:17 | 320 to 340 g water | Use a scale instead of scoop counts. |
| Espresso | 1:2 yield | 40 g espresso from 20 g coffee | Adjust grind in very small steps. |
Fast rule
For most filter coffee, use 60 to 65 grams of coffee per liter of water. That range lands close to 1:16 and gives enough strength for milk or black coffee without tasting heavy.
When to use a stronger ratio
Use 1:14 or 1:15 when you want a heavier cup, are brewing for iced coffee, or are using a coffee that tastes hollow at standard strength. Do not use ratio to fix every flavor problem. Sourness often means under-extraction, and bitterness often means over-extraction.
When to use a lighter ratio
Use 1:17 when a coffee is naturally dense, roast-forward, or too intense at 1:16. Lighter ratios can taste clearer, but they also reveal stale beans and uneven grinding.
Useful tools
Use the BeanDial ratio calculator to scale any dose. A small digital scale is the first piece of gear that makes these ratios repeatable.
FAQ
Is 1:15 or 1:16 better for coffee?
Use 1:16 as the default for balanced filter coffee. Use 1:15 when you want a stronger cup, are brewing over ice, or plan to add milk.
How much coffee should I use per liter of water?
Use 60 to 65 grams of coffee per liter of water for most filter methods. That range lands between roughly 1:16 and 1:15.
Should I measure coffee by scoop or by weight?
Weight is more repeatable because scoop volume changes with grind size and roast density. A scale makes ratio recipes much easier to use.