How much coffee per cup: the coffee-to-water ratio
The ratio of coffee to water decides how strong your cup is. When you measure by weight instead of spoons, you can repeat a good cup every morning.
What a 1:16 ratio means
A 1:16 ratio means one gram of coffee for every 16 grams (or ml) of water. For a 250 ml cup that's about 15–16 g of coffee. The smaller the second number, the stronger the cup.
Ratio chart by method
| Method | Ratio | One cup | Grind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filter / pour-over | 1:16 | 15 g to 250 ml | Filter (6) |
| French press | 1:15 | 30 g to 450 ml | French press (9) |
| AeroPress | 1:15–1:16 | 15 g to 220–250 ml | Moka (4) to filter (6) |
| Espresso | 1:2 | 18 g to 36 g in the cup | Espresso (3) |
| Moka pot | about 1:7 | Full basket, no tamping | Moka (4) |
| Turkish coffee | about 1:13 | 7–8 g to 100 ml | Turkish (1) |
| Cold brew | 1:8 | 100 g to 800 ml (concentrate) | Cold brew (10) |
How to make it stronger or milder
- Want a stronger cup? Add coffee, for example go from 1:16 to 1:15. Don't brew longer or grind finer, which adds bitterness.
- Want a milder cup? Use a little less coffee, or add some hot water to the finished cup.
- Change one thing at a time, so you know what worked.
No scale?
A coffee measuring scoop holds about 6–7 g, but it varies with roast and grind. Dark-roasted coffee is lighter than light-roasted coffee by volume. A simple kitchen scale is the cheapest upgrade to a consistent cup.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams of coffee per cup?
For a 250 ml filter cup: 15–16 g. For a double espresso: 18 g. For Turkish coffee: 7–8 g per small cup.
How much coffee per litre of water?
For pour-over or a drip machine: 60–65 g per litre. For a French press: about 65 g per litre. For cold brew: 125 g per litre, diluted afterwards.
How many scoops of coffee per cup?
About two measuring scoops (12–14 g) per 250 ml cup. A scale is more accurate, because a scoop's weight changes with roast and grind.
Why is my coffee weak even with plenty of coffee?
The grind is probably too coarse for the method, so the water can't extract enough flavour. Check the grind size guide.
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Whole beans, or ground especially for you after you order, at the grind that suits your method. Delivery across Israel, free over ₪250.
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