Coffee & Tea 1:18
Coffee Brew Ratio Calculator
How much coffee for 12 ounces of water? About 19.5 g at the SCA ratio.
Enter your water or your coffee and get the other, using the Specialty Coffee Association's Golden Cup ratio or your own.
How to use it
- Choose whether you know the water or the coffee.
- Enter the amount.
- Weigh the coffee and brew at 197 to 205°F.
How it works
The Golden Cup ratio is the SCA's standard: 55 g of coffee per liter of water, about 1 to 18.
We give grams only: ground coffee's weight per spoonful varies with roast and grind.
The water temperature range is the figure SCA-certified brewers are tested to, shown as a starting point.
Assumptions and limits
- Medium grind for drip and pour-over.
- Fresh, filtered water.
- Grams of whole or ground coffee.
Sources reviewed October 23, 2026.
Quick reference: Coffee for common amounts (SCA ratio)
| Water | Coffee |
|---|---|
| 8 fl oz (237 mL) | 13 g |
| 12 fl oz (355 mL) | 19.5 g |
| 16 fl oz (473 mL) | 26 g |
| 1 L | 55 g |
| 1.5 L | 82.5 g |
Source: Specialty Coffee Association Golden Cup ratio, 55 g per liter.
Tips
- Grind just before brewing.
- Bitter: grind coarser. Sour: grind finer.
- Use a scale; it's the biggest single upgrade.
Recipes to try it with
Questions
How much coffee for 12 ounces of water?
About 19.5 g at the SCA ratio.
What is the SCA Golden Cup ratio?
55 g of coffee per liter of water.
How much coffee per liter?
55 g at the Golden Cup ratio.