The standard pour over coffee ratio is 1:15 to 1:17 — 1 gram of coffee for every 15–17 grams of water. For a 12 oz (340 ml) cup, that’s roughly 20–23 grams of coffee. Adjust toward 1:15 for a stronger cup, toward 1:17 for a lighter one.
Different pour over methods have their own ideal ratios based on how they extract. Here’s the complete reference guide.
Quick Reference Table: Ratios by Brew Method
| Method | Ratio (coffee:water) | For 300 ml water | For 500 ml water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drip / auto-drip | 1:15–1:17 | 18–20 g | 29–33 g |
| Pour over (general) | 1:15–1:17 | 18–20 g | 29–33 g |
| Hario V60 | 1:15–1:16 | 19–20 g | 31–33 g |
| Chemex | 1:15–1:17 | 18–20 g | 29–33 g |
| Kalita Wave | 1:15–1:16 | 19–20 g | 31–33 g |
| AeroPress (standard) | 1:12–1:16 | 19–25 g | 31–42 g |
| AeroPress (concentrate) | 1:6–1:8 | 38–50 g | 63–83 g |
| French press | 1:15–1:17 | 18–20 g | 29–33 g |
| Cold brew (regular) | 1:8 | 38 g | 63 g |
Drip Coffee Ratio
Standard drip coffee ratio: 1:15 to 1:17
Auto-drip machines (like Technivorm, Breville Precision Brewer, or standard Mr. Coffee) work best at the same ratio as manual pour over. Most coffee machines have a “recommended fill” line, but using a scale gives you more consistent results.
| Drip coffee volume | Coffee needed |
|---|---|
| 1 cup (240 ml) | 14–16 g |
| 2 cups (480 ml) | 28–32 g |
| 4 cups (960 ml) | 56–64 g |
| 8 cups (1,920 ml) | 112–128 g |
| 10 cups (2,400 ml) | 140–160 g |
Tip: If your drip machine’s carafe has cup markings, note that most “cups” are measured at 5–6 oz (150–180 ml), not 8 oz. Factor this in when calculating your ratio.
The SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) “Golden Cup Standard” recommends 55 g of coffee per liter of water (1:18) as the minimum, but most specialty brewers prefer 1:15–1:16 for more flavor.
Pour Over Ratio (Manual)
Pour over ratio: 1:15 to 1:17
Manual pour over gives you full control. The ratio stays the same as drip, but you control the pour rate, bloom time, and temperature — which significantly affects extraction.
Standard recipe for most pour over methods:
- Coffee: 20 g (1:16 with 320 ml water)
- Water temperature: 90–96°C (195–205°F)
- Bloom: pour 40 ml first, wait 30–45 seconds
- Total brew time: 2:30–4:00 (depending on method and grind size)
Hario V60 Ratio
V60 ratio: 1:15 to 1:16
The V60 brews faster than a Chemex due to its open filter design, so it handles a slightly tighter ratio well. James Hoffmann’s popular V60 recipe:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Coffee | 30 g |
| Water (total) | 500 g |
| Ratio | 1:16.7 |
| Brew time | ~3:30 |
Classic beginner V60 recipe (1 cup):
- 15 g coffee, 250 g water (1:16.7)
- Bloom: 30 g water for 30 seconds
- Continue pouring in slow circles until 250 g
- Target brew time: 2:30–3:00
Chemex Ratio
Chemex ratio: 1:15 to 1:17
The Chemex uses thick bonded filters that remove more oils and fines than most other pour overs, producing a cleaner, lighter-bodied cup. Because of this, you can brew at the same ratio but the cup tastes lighter — so many Chemex brewers go slightly stronger (1:15).
| Chemex size | Coffee | Water |
|---|---|---|
| 3-cup (450 ml) | 26–30 g | 390–450 ml |
| 6-cup (900 ml) | 53–60 g | 790–900 ml |
| 8-cup (1,200 ml) | 70–80 g | 1,050–1,200 ml |
Chemex recipe (6-cup):
- 55 g coffee, 825 g water (1:15)
- Water temp: 93°C (200°F)
- Bloom: 110 g water for 45 seconds
- Continue in 100 g pours, waiting 30 seconds between each
- Target brew time: 5:00–6:00
AeroPress Ratio
AeroPress ratio: 1:12 to 1:16 (standard) or 1:6–1:8 (concentrate)
The AeroPress is the most flexible of all brewing methods — it can brew anywhere from a very strong concentrate (like espresso-style) to a regular cup of coffee. Most recipes fall into two camps:
Standard AeroPress (drinkable straight)
- Coffee: 15–18 g
- Water: 220–250 g
- Ratio: 1:13–1:16
- Brew time: 1:30–2:30
AeroPress concentrate (add hot water to taste)
- Coffee: 20–25 g
- Water: 100–150 g
- Ratio: 1:5–1:7
- Then dilute with 100–150 g hot water
James Hoffmann’s AeroPress recipe:
- 11 g coffee, 200 g water at 100°C (212°F) — ratio 1:18
- Steep 2 minutes, then swirl and press slowly over 30 seconds
- Results in a clean, tea-like cup
The AeroPress ratio really depends on your roast and preferred strength. Start at 1:15 and adjust from there.
Kalita Wave Ratio
Kalita Wave ratio: 1:15 to 1:16
The Kalita Wave’s flat-bottomed design creates a more even extraction than a conical dripper. Many brewers find it more forgiving.
- Coffee: 20 g, water: 300 g (1:15)
- Bloom: 50 g, wait 30 seconds
- Pour remaining water in 50 g pulses every 30–40 seconds
- Target brew time: 3:00–4:00
How to Adjust Your Ratio
Too weak/watery? Use more coffee (go toward 1:15 or even 1:14) or grind finer.
Too strong/bitter? Use less coffee (go toward 1:17) or grind coarser.
Too sour/acidic? The coffee is likely under-extracted — grind finer (regardless of ratio) or use hotter water.
Too bitter? The coffee may be over-extracted — grind coarser or brew for less time.
Ratio affects strength. Grind size and brew time affect extraction quality. Both matter.
Do You Need a Scale?
Yes, if you want consistency. Volume measurements (tablespoons, scoops) vary significantly depending on grind size and coffee density. Two different coffees measured in the same tablespoon will weigh completely different amounts.
A digital kitchen scale accurate to 1 gram is all you need ($10–20). Tare it with your dripper and filter, add coffee, zero it, then brew by weight.
If you must use volume:
- 1 tablespoon of coffee ≈ 5–7 g (varies widely by grind size)
- Use 2 tablespoons per 6 oz (180 ml) as a starting point
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pour over coffee ratio? 1:15 to 1:16 is the sweet spot for most pour over methods — strong enough to taste full-bodied, light enough to taste nuanced flavor. Start there and adjust based on your preference.
Is pour over stronger than drip coffee? They use the same ratio, so the caffeine per ml is similar. Pour over often tastes cleaner and brighter because the water temperature and pour rate are more controlled, improving extraction clarity — not necessarily strength.
What ratio does Chemex use? 1:15 to 1:17. The thick Chemex filters remove more oils, producing a cleaner, lighter-bodied cup, so many brewers use 1:15 to compensate.
What is the AeroPress coffee ratio? 1:12 to 1:16 for a regular cup, or 1:6 to 1:8 for an espresso-style concentrate that you dilute afterward. The AeroPress is the most flexible brewer — experiment freely.
How much coffee for a V60? For a single cup: 15 g coffee to 250 g water (1:16.7). For a larger brew: 20 g to 320 g water (1:16).
Building out your brewing knowledge? See our coffee-to-water ratio guide for all brewing methods including espresso, or our French press ratio guide for immersion brewing. For cold brew, see our cold brew ratio guide.