I took a few steps back from the picture I just hung on the wall and noted a few things.  ‘The picture itself looks great.  But is my neck out of alignment?  I thought it looked even and straight before I put the nails in the wall.’  Then it dawned on me…brewing coffee ratios.  I smiled…my neck was fine (probably?), but I trusted my eyes too much…

What Is a Brewing Coffee Ratio?

A brewing coffee ratio is simply the relationship between the amount of coffee you use and how much water you brew with.

Think of it as the foundation of your cup.  So, it’s like, super really important. 

Too much water can make coffee taste weak or flat. Too little water can create an overpowering or bitter brew.

We want to end up somewhere in between, for a pleasant, balanced cup of coffee. 

You may hear coffee lovers talk about ratios using grams of coffee to grams of water. But don’t worry — you don’t need to become a coffee scientist to make better coffee at home.

A simple rule of thumb:

• If you want stronger coffee = add more coffee grounds
• If you want lighter coffee = add more water

That’s it.

The beauty of dialing in your brewing coffee ratio is that it helps you consistently enjoy coffee that tastes smooth, balanced, and full of flavor.  Dialing coffee in is simply another way of saying ‘getting the coffee awesome.’ This often comes from trial and error so don’t get discouraged, you’re just one cup closer to the brew you want!

The Golden Brewing Coffee Ratio

The most common starting point is:

1:16 Ratio

That means:

• 1 gram of coffee
• For every 16 grams of water

Keep in mind this is a starting point and allow room to adjust for personal preference. 

This ratio tends to create a balanced cup that highlights flavor without becoming too strong or too weak.

For example:

• 20 grams coffee
• 320 grams water

Or more simply:

• About 2 tablespoons of coffee
• Per 6 ounces of water

This aligns closely with our educational brewing framework focused on consistency and simple improvements at home.  Brewing coffee should add to your day, not make it harder.  We aim for easy to implement tips to help you brow your best.

If you enjoy coffee that tastes:

• Smooth
• Balanced
• Clean
• Naturally flavorful

…this is a great place to start.

Why Brewing Coffee Ratio Matters So Much

You can buy amazing beans, use filtered water, and own a beautiful coffee maker…

…but if the brewing coffee ratio is off, your cup can still disappoint.

Here’s why ratio matters:

It Controls Extraction

Brewing pulls flavors from the coffee grounds.

A balanced ratio helps extract:

• Natural sweetness
• Chocolate notes
• Fruit tones
• Smooth body

An imbalanced ratio can lead to:

• Sourness
• Harsh bitterness
• Weak flavor

It Creates Consistency

One of the biggest frustrations people have with home brewing is inconsistency.

One day the coffee tastes amazing!  Ready to take on the world!

The next day? Not so much.

Using a consistent brewing coffee ratio helps cut guesswork and makes your morning routine more reliable.

Coffee should help make your day better — not more frustrating.  Having an easy to brew, consistently good cup of coffee helps!

Best Brewing Coffee Ratios for Different Strengths

Everyone enjoys coffee a little differently.

Here are simple brewing coffee ratio starting points depending on your preference.

Taste Preference	Ratio
Strong Coffee	1:14
Balanced Coffee	1:16
Lighter Coffee	1:17 or 1:18

If your coffee tastes:

• Too weak → use slightly more coffee
• Too bitter → use slightly less coffee
• Too intense → add more water
• Too flat → reduce water slightly

Small adjustments make a big difference.  All part of the dialing in process and getting closer to your best cup of coffee.

Brewing Coffee Ratio for Drip Coffee Makers

Drip coffee machines are one of the most common ways people brew coffee at home.

Good news: they work great when the ratio is right.

Recommended Ratio for Drip Coffee

Start with:

• 1:16 ratio
• About 2 tablespoons per 6 ounces

Example:

• 40 grams coffee
• 640 grams water

This usually produces a smooth, easy-drinking cup with balanced flavor.

At Philly Fair Trade Roasters, we love approachable brewing that helps people enjoy specialty coffee without feeling overwhelmed.  Easy steps to brew awesome coffee!

Want to learn more about drip coffee?

Brewing Coffee Ratio for French Press

French press coffee naturally creates a fuller-bodied cup.

Because immersion brewing extracts differently, many people prefer a slightly stronger ratio.

Recommended French Press Ratio

Try:

• 1:12 ratio

Example:

• 30 grams coffee
• 360 grams water

Brewing Coffee Ratio for Pour Over Coffee

Pour over brewing gives you incredible control and clarity.

It’s also one of the best ways to highlight origin characteristics in Organic and Fairtrade coffees.

Recommended Pour Over Ratio

Start with:

• 1:16 or 1:17

This tends to create:

• Clean flavor
• Brightness
• Sweetness
• Balanced body

Does Dark Roast Need a Different Brewing Ratio?

Sometimes.

Dark roasts often taste more intense and bolder naturally, so some people slightly increase water to smooth things out.

A good starting point - medium roast & Dark Roast → 1:17

But there are no strict rules here.

Coffee is personal.

Your favorite brewing coffee ratio is the one that makes you excited for the next sip.

Why Fresh Coffee Beans Matter

Brewing ratio is important…

…but fresh beans matter too.

Coffee begins losing aroma and flavor over time, especially after grinding.

That’s why we roast in small batches at Philly Fair Trade Roasters to help preserve the natural characteristics of every bean. No artificial flavors. No shortcuts. Just carefully roasted Organic and Fairtrade coffee designed to make mornings better.

Fresh coffee paired with a balanced brewing coffee ratio creates a huge difference in flavor.

Water Temperature Also Changes Flavor

Another overlooked factor?

Water temperature.

Ideal brewing temperature:

• 195°F–205°F

Too hot:

• Bitter
• Harsh

Too cool:

• Weak
• Under-extracted

Even the best brewing coffee ratio performs better when temperature is dialed in properly.

Should You Use a Coffee Scale?

Remember the picture hanging problem I shared to start our time together?  My problem was I eyeballed hanging the picture and didn’t measure or use a level.  Kind of like using a scale for finding the amount of coffee to use.  Sure, you can eyeball it, but having a consistent method to weigh your coffee also helps create a consistent brew. 

Using a small kitchen scale allows you to repeat the same brewing coffee ratio consistently.

That means:

• Better accuracy
• Better flavor
• Less guesswork

Scales are easier than they sound; there’s many affordable, quick to use options available. 

And eyeballing may work well for you, or you could be hanging crooked pictures like me and benefit from a coffee scale (and some tips on hanging pictures.).

Simple Brewing Coffee Ratio Chart

Here’s an easy quick-reference guide:

Cups of Coffee	Coffee	Water
1 Cup	15g	240g
2 Cups	30g	480g
4 Cups	60g	960g
8 Cups	120g	1920g

This follows a balanced 1:16 brewing coffee ratio.

Save this chart somewhere near your coffee setup for easier mornings.

Common Coffee Ratio Mistakes

1. Eyeballing Everything

Random scoops create inconsistent results.

A little measuring goes a long way.

2. Using Old Coffee

Freshness dramatically affects flavor.  Bonus for grinding right before brewing, but we all have busy mornings or travel where a bag of pre-ground helps win the day. 

3. Ignoring Grind Size

Ratio and grind work together.

4. Using Poor Water

Coffee is mostly water.

Filtered water usually creates a cleaner cup.

Avoid distilled water as this provides no minerals for the coffee flavor to ‘grab ahold of.’  A scientific term I know…

5. Changing Too Many Variables at Once

If adjusting your brew:

• Change one thing
• Test it
• Then adjust again

Consistency helps you discover what actually improves your coffee.  Dialing your coffee requires some patience, a little willingness to experiment and giving yourself some grace for the errors in the trial and error part of learning. 

Organic & Fairtrade Coffee Deserves Better Brewing

At Philly Fair Trade Roasters, we believe coffee should taste good and do good too.

We focus on -

• Certified Organic coffee
• Fairtrade partnerships
• Small-batch roasting
• Recyclable packaging
• Farmer-focused sourcing

Those details matter.

Not because coffee should be complicated but because people matter.

From farming communities to your morning kitchen counter, every cup connects people together.

And when thoughtfully sourced coffee is brewed with a balanced brewing coffee ratio, you experience the flavor exactly how it was meant to taste.

A Great Coffee Routine Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated

One of the biggest misconceptions about specialty coffee is that it has to feel overly technical.

It doesn’t.

You don’t need expensive equipment or barista-level training to make better coffee at home.

You just need:

• Fresh coffee
• Good water (filtered preferred, avoid distilled)
• A consistent brewing coffee ratio
• A little curiosity

That’s it.

Coffee should feel approachable, uplifting, and enjoyable.

Coffee should add to your day and make it better, not give you one more complicated hoop to jump through. 

FAQ: Brewing Coffee Ratio

What is the best brewing coffee ratio?

A 1:16 ratio is one of the best starting points for balanced coffee.

How much coffee should I use per cup?

About 2 tablespoons per 6 ounces of water is a simple guideline.

Why does my coffee taste weak?

Usually because:

• Too much water
• Not enough coffee
• Grind too coarse
• Water temperature too low

Why does my coffee taste bitter?

Usually because:

• Too much coffee
• Grind too fine
• Water too hot
• Brewing too long

Is stronger coffee better?

Not necessarily.

A balanced cup often tastes smoother, and more enjoyable than an overly strong brew.

Final Sips: Better Ratios, Better Mornings

Sometimes the smallest changes create the biggest improvements.

And the brewing coffee ratio is one of those changes.

A little consistency can completely transform your coffee routine; less guesswork equals better peace of mind. 

At Philly Fair Trade Roasters, we believe coffee should be simple, positive, and rooted in doing things the right way — for farmers, for the planet, and for your daily routine.

Don’t be afraid to experiment, try something new to improve your brew.  Once your coffee is dialed in, consistent good brewing awaits you!

May all your coffee be balanced and dialed in.

May all your pictures be hung straight and even.

And may all of your days be good!