Pour Over Calculator
Enter your coffee, water, or number of servings and we'll give you a clean, balanced pour over recipe — ratio, grind, and brew time included.
- 1Method
- 2Amount
- 3Results
How to use this pour over calculator
Pick what you already know — the weight of coffee you want to use, the amount of water you have, or how many cups you're making — and the calculator converts it into a complete recipe. The default balanced ratio is 1:16, which suits most single-cup drippers like the Hario V60, Kalita Wave, and Origami.
Dialing in your pour over
Start with a 30–45 second bloom using about twice the coffee's weight in water, then pour in slow, steady spirals to keep the bed even. If your brew finishes too fast and tastes weak, grind a little finer. If it drains slowly and tastes bitter, grind coarser. Total brew time around 3:00–3:30 is a good target.
Prefer to think in ratios instead? The coffee ratio calculator lets you solve for any missing value, and the coffee amount calculator translates cups into grams and tablespoons.
Common coffee ratios by method
Every method has a practical starting ratio. Use these as a baseline and adjust to taste.
| Method | Balanced ratio | Grind | Brew time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pour Over | 1:16 | Medium-fine | ~3:00–3:30 |
| French Press | 1:15 | Coarse | ~4:00 |
| AeroPress | 1:15 | Medium-fine | ~1:30–2:00 |
| Drip Coffee | 1:16 | Medium | ~4:00–6:00 |
| Chemex | 1:16 | Medium-coarse | ~4:00–4:30 |
| Cold Brew | 1:5 | Extra coarse | 12–18 hours |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best coffee-to-water ratio for pour over?
A 1:16 ratio (one gram of coffee to 16 grams of water) is a reliable balanced starting point. Go toward 1:17 for a lighter cup or 1:15 for a stronger one, then adjust to taste.
How much coffee for a single pour over cup?
For a ~300 ml cup, start with about 18–20 g of coffee at a 1:16 ratio. The calculator above does the math for any amount you enter.
What grind size should I use for pour over?
A medium-fine grind, roughly the texture of table salt, works well for most cone drippers. Grind finer to slow the flow and increase strength, coarser to speed it up.