Coffee Water Ratio for Pour Over: Find Your Perfect Brew
If your coffee tastes off, odds are your ratio’s off too.
The water-to-coffee ratio is the unsung hero of great pour over. Dial it in, and everything else starts tasting better — even Monday mornings. In this guide, we’ll break down the fundamentals, share a simple starting point, and show you how to adjust based on your taste preferences.
Why Coffee-to-Water Ratio Matters
Your pour over’s flavor, body, and strength all come down to one thing: how much water you use relative to your coffee. Too much water? Thin and bitter. Too little? Overwhelmingly strong. The right ratio gives you balance — clarity, sweetness, and that smooth finish you crave.
The Golden Ratio (Start Here)
We recommend starting with a 1:16 ratio. That’s 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams (or milliliters) of water. For a single cup:
- 21g coffee
- 336g water
Use a digital scale. Eyeballing is tempting, but even small shifts can throw things off. Precision helps you stay consistent — and tweak with purpose.
How to Adjust Your Ratio
Once you’ve tried the 1:16 base, make small adjustments:
- Prefer stronger coffee? Try 1:15
- Want it lighter or more tea-like? Try 1:17
Other factors play a role too — grind size, brew time, and bean type — but starting with ratio gives you a clear anchor.
Common Pour Over Mistakes (and Fixes)
- Guessing measurements: Use a scale to track your brews.
- Using tap water: Filtered water makes a noticeable difference.
- Grinding too coarse or fine: Adjust until your brew lands between 2.5–3.5 minutes.
Tools That Help
You don’t need fancy gear — just the basics:
- A reliable burr grinder
- A gooseneck kettle for control
- A pour over dripper and filters
- A digital scale with 0.1g accuracy
Final Thoughts
Getting your ratio right is one of the simplest ways to improve your coffee. It’s not about being perfect — it’s about paying attention. Start with 1:16, taste your brew, and tweak from there. Your morning ritual just got better.
