Coffee Brew Ratio & Steep Time Calculator
Work out how much coffee and water to use for pour-over, French press or cold brew, plus the recommended steep time for each method.
Frequently asked questions
Is this tool free?
Yes. Calchemy tools are free to use in your browser.
Is my data uploaded?
No. The tools are designed to run locally in your browser unless clearly stated otherwise.
What brew ratio should I use?
A common starting point is about 1:16 (coffee to water by weight) for pour-over, 1:15 for French press and 1:8 for cold brew concentrate, but taste preference varies a lot - use the ratio as a starting point and adjust from there.
Why does cold brew use so much more coffee?
Cold water extracts far more slowly and less efficiently than hot water, so cold brew concentrate uses a much stronger ratio and a long steep time (typically 12-24 hours), and is usually diluted with water or milk before drinking.
Can I use this with any coffee grinder?
Yes, the ratio is about weight of coffee to weight of water, not grind size, though grind size does affect extraction and should be adjusted per method (coarse for cold brew and French press, medium-fine for pour-over).