Coffee Brewing Ratios & Water Guide
Coffee Brewing Ratios & Water Guide
Dial in your brew. Elevate your cup.
Great coffee starts with the right balance of coffee and water. We recommend using the industry-standard “Golden Ratio” as your baseline.
Table of Contents:
The Golden Ratio (18:1)
The ideal starting point for most brewing methods is an 18:1 ratio, meaning 18 parts water to 1 part coffee.
Example:
- 180 grams (or mL) of water
- 10 grams of coffee
💡 Since water has a 1:1 weight-to-volume ratio, grams = milliliters.
Simple At-Home Conversion
No scale? No problem.
A common U.S. measurement equivalent is:
- 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 fluid ounces of water
Adjust to taste:
- Too little coffee → weak or bitter
- Too much coffee → overly strong or sour
Water Matters More Than You Think
Coffee is about 98% water, so quality makes a big difference.
Best practices:
- Use filtered water whenever possible
- Ideal TDS (Total Dissolved Solids): ~150 mg/L
- Avoid distilled or heavily mineralized water
Temperature Guidelines
Water temperature plays a key role in extraction.
- Ideal range: 200°F to 204°F (93°C to 95°C)
- Just below boiling is perfect
Too hot = over-extraction (bitter)
Too cool = under-extraction (weak or sour)
Quick Reference
- 18:1 ratio (Golden Ratio)
- 180g water : 10g coffee
- ~2 tbsp coffee : 6 oz water
- 200–204°F water temperature
- Filtered water recommended
A standard 12 oz bag yields roughly 30 servings, depending on your measurements.
One Last Sip
The Golden Ratio is your starting line, not the finish line.
Every brew method and every coffee can vary slightly, so don’t be afraid to adjust and experiment until you find what tastes right to you.
