The short answer
A reliable coffee-to-water ratio is around 1 to 16, roughly 60 grams of coffee per litre of water, for a balanced cup. Use 1 to 15 for a stronger brew and 1 to 18 for a milder one. Weighing your coffee and water is the simplest way to get the same good result every time.
Interactive · Ratio calculator
Strength
1:16, the everyday sweet spot
Coffee
31.3g
Makes about
2
cups
A level tablespoon of ground coffee is roughly 5 to 7 grams. Weigh for the most repeatable cup.
Why ratio matters more than scoops
A scoop is not a measurement. Beans vary in density, and a heaped spoon today is a level spoon tomorrow. A ratio fixes that. When you set the weight of coffee against the weight of water, you can repeat a great cup exactly, and adjust it on purpose rather than by accident.
The numbers, simply
- 1 to 15: strong and full-bodied, for those who like it bold.
- 1 to 16: the everyday balanced sweet spot most people enjoy.
- 1 to 18: lighter and more tea-like, gentle and bright.
As a rough guide, a level tablespoon of ground coffee weighs about 5 to 7 grams. A digital scale removes the guesswork entirely and costs very little.
Dial it in
Start at 1 to 16, taste, and adjust. If the cup tastes thin or sour, use a little more coffee or a finer grind. If it tastes heavy or bitter, use a little less coffee or a coarser grind. Use the calculator above to find your weights.
Great beans make every ratio better.