Getting the ratio right is one of the simplest ways to improve your coffee without changing anything else. Too little and it tastes weak and flat. Too much and it becomes harsh and hard to drink.

The Standard Ratio

The widely accepted starting point is two tablespoons of ground coffee per six ounces of water. This is sometimes written as a 1:15 ratio, one gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water.

If you do not have a scale, two tablespoons per six ounces is close enough to start.

Adjusting to Your Taste

The standard ratio is a starting point, not a rule. Adjust based on what you want from the cup.

If the coffee tastes too strong or bitter, use slightly less coffee or more water. If it tastes weak or watery, use slightly more coffee or less water.

Make one adjustment at a time so you can tell what changed.

Different Brew Methods, Different Ratios

Drip Coffee Maker

Most drip machines use a six ounce cup measurement, not eight. If your machine has a 12 cup capacity, that is 72 ounces of water, not 96. This trips people up more than almost anything else.

Use two tablespoons per six ounces and adjust based on your machine's actual cup size.

Pour Over

Pour over allows more control. A common ratio is 1:15 to 1:17 depending on how strong you prefer it. Start at 1:16 and adjust from there.

French Press

French press produces a heavier, fuller bodied cup because the grounds steep directly in water. A slightly coarser grind and a ratio closer to 1:12 works well here.

Espresso

Espresso uses a much tighter ratio, roughly 1:2. One gram of coffee to two grams of water. This is a different category from drip brewing and requires an espresso machine to do correctly.

Grind Size Also Affects Strength

Ratio and grind size work together. A finer grind extracts more flavor from the same amount of coffee. A coarser grind extracts less.

If you have dialed in your ratio but the coffee still tastes off, grind size is usually the next thing to look at.

A Simple Starting Point

If you are not sure where to begin, start here. Two tablespoons of ground coffee per six ounces of water, medium grind, water just off a boil. That works for most drip machines and pour over setups.

From there, adjust one thing at a time until the cup is what you want it to be.