Coffee Ratio Calculator
Calculates the ideal coffee-to-water ratio for any brewing method. Enter the amount of water or coffee to get the exact dose for your preferred brew strength.
Standard ratios by brew method
| Method | Ratio (coffee:water) | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Drip / filter | 1:15 to 1:17 | Standard |
| French press | 1:12 to 1:15 | Full body |
| Pour-over (V60) | 1:15 to 1:16 | Clean, bright |
| AeroPress | 1:10 to 1:15 | Concentrated or regular |
| Cold brew | 1:4 to 1:8 (concentrate) | Very strong; dilute before drinking |
| Espresso | 1:2 (in:out by weight) | Concentrated |
Grind size reference
- Coarse: French press, cold brew
- Medium-coarse: Chemex
- Medium: drip filter
- Medium-fine: pour-over, AeroPress
- Fine: espresso, Moka pot
- Extra fine: Turkish/ibrik
The SCA Golden Cup Standard and why UK cafes ignore it
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Golden Cup Standard recommends 55g of coffee per litre of water (roughly 1:18). This was developed primarily around US drip filter brewing. Most UK and European specialty cafes use a noticeably stronger ratio of 60-65g/L (1:15-1:17) for filter, reflecting a preference for fuller body. If a UK recipe specifies "SCA standard" without context, assume filter rather than espresso.
The flat white: an Australian invention the UK adopted
The flat white was developed in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s and became a fixture in UK specialty coffee shops from the mid-2000s onwards. The defining ratio: a double ristretto shot (around 40ml, slightly shorter than a standard double) topped with approximately 150ml of steamed, microfoamed milk, thinner and silkier than a latte, with more coffee intensity per volume. The standard UK cafe flat white volume is around 190-200ml, noticeably smaller than a latte at 250-300ml.
UK coffee culture: a country of converted tea drinkers
The UK is one of the fastest-growing specialty coffee markets in Europe. Allegra Strategies estimates the UK had over 25,000 coffee shops by 2024, with the specialty segment (focusing on single-origin beans and precise extraction) growing at around 10% per year. Despite this, total per-capita coffee consumption (around 3.5kg/year) remains below Germany (8kg) or the Netherlands (10kg). The UK is also the home market of several influential roasters including Square Mile, Monmouth, and Union Hand-Roasted.