What is the ideal coffee-to-water ratio for filter coffee?
Standard: 1:15 to 1:17, meaning 60 g of coffee per liter of water (SCA Golden Ratio). For one cup (250 ml), that's 15–16 g of coffee. Stronger: 1:14, milder: 1:18. A scale makes all the difference.
Why that is
The brew ratio determines the strength of the coffee — not to be confused with extraction. Strength describes the concentration of dissolved coffee solids in the cup, while extraction describes the percentage of soluble compounds extracted from the coffee grounds.
The SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) recommends 55–65 g of coffee per liter of water as the "Golden Ratio." This corresponds to a ratio of about 1:15 to 1:18. Within this range, the coffee tastes balanced to most people — neither too thin nor too strong.
For beginners: 60 g per liter (1:16.7). This is a safe starting point. For a single cup: 15 g of coffee to 250 ml of water. For a carafe (500 ml): 30 g of coffee.
Stronger: 1:14 to 1:15 (70 g per liter). More body, more intense flavor. Works well with dark roasts or if you drink your coffee with milk.
Milder: 1:17 to 1:18 (55 g per liter). Lighter, clearer, more tea-like. Light, fruity single origins can show off their complexity better in this range.
The ratio alone doesn't dictate the flavor, though. A 1:16 ratio with a grind size that is too fine will taste bitter (over-extracted), while a grind size that is too coarse will taste sour (under-extracted). The ratio and grind size must work together.
Important: Spoons are unsuitable for dosing. Depending on the roast level, bean shape, and grind size, a spoon can hold very different amounts of coffee. A "heaped tablespoon" can weigh 7 or 12 g. A kitchen scale with 0.1 g precision (starting at €10) puts an end to the guesswork — and is the easiest step toward consistently good coffee.
In practice at Green Wall Coffee
At Sophienstraße 27, filter coffee comes from the batch brewer at 60 g of coffee per litre — that's 15 g to 250 ml, a 1:16.7 ratio. My tip for home: start with 60 g/liter and adjust to taste. More coffee = stronger, less = milder. It sounds simple, but it's the most common lever to pull after adjusting the grind size.
You'll find us at Sophienstraße 27 in Berlin-Lichtenberg, Monday to Friday 8am–5pm and Saturday 10am–5pm.
Further reading
In-depth article: Pour-Over Guide (V60) · Drip Coffee Machine Guide
Related questions:
- What is the difference between V60, Chemex, and Kalita Wave?
- Should I rinse the paper filter with hot water first?
- Which beans are best for filter coffee?
Also relevant:
- What is the ideal espresso ratio? — Espresso Preparation (Portafilter)
- What coffee-to-water ratio do I need for cold brew? — Cold Brew & Iced Coffee
All questions in this topic: Filter Coffee & Pour-Over