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What is the Perfect Coffee-to-Water Ratio?

What is the Perfect Coffee-to-Water Ratio?

Simply put, it’s the amount of coffee grounds you use compared to the amount of water. It's the backbone of brewing: too much coffee and it’s bitter sludge; too little and it tastes like brown sadness.

GM Dubbya
April 06, 2025

The SCAA, the Specialty Coffee Association of America, came out with their “Golden Ratio”, which is approximately 1:18. That means they recommend 55 grams of coffee for every 1000ml (grams) of water. They know a whole lot, but we like a bit more punch and taste in the coffee so The DRIP Rule is 1:16 — that’s 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams (or ml) of water. It’s balanced, smooth, and the ideal launchpad for dialing in your perfect brew. You play with this ratio all you want and when you find one that works for you go ahead and name it, post it online and make sure you tag @itsjustthedrip.

How Do You Measure It?

Step 1: Get a Scale

Seriously, just do it. Volume (like tablespoons) is inconsistent because different coffees have different densities. A digital kitchen scale that measures in grams is your best friend.

Step 2: Choose Your Ratio

Here are some popular ones, depending on how strong you like your coffee:

1:15 – Strong and bold
1:16 – Balanced and smooth
1:17 – Light and nuanced

Step 3: Measure Your Coffee

Let’s say you’re making a single 12 oz mug (~340ml of water):

At a 1:16 ratio:
- 340 ÷ 16 = ~21 grams of coffee

Step 4: Measure the Water

Most brewing guides will say that 1 gram of water = 1 milliliter, so just weigh it out. If you don’t have a kettle with volume markings, just use the scale.

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet:

Coffee (grams)	Water (ml) for 1:16
15g	240ml (8 oz)
21g	340ml (12 oz)
30g	480ml (16 oz)
60g	960ml (32 oz)

Pro Tips:

Use good coffee. You’ve heard this before. Buy from a local roaster and alternate till you find what you like.
Always grind fresh. Burr grinder > blade grinder.
Adjust based on taste! If it’s too bitter, try a finer grind or more water. Too sour? Try a more course grind and reduce brew time. Pay attention to steep time and how long the water is in contact with the grounds. Over-extraction can lead to a bitter brew as well.
Different brew methods like French press, pour-over, AeroPress, etc., have their own quirks — but the ratio stays your compass.