Cold Brew Coffee Ratio Calculator

Cold brew is measured as coffee to water by weight, written 1:R. Brew a concentrate at a strong 1:4 to 1:8 and dilute it before drinking, or brew ready-to-drink at about 1:12 to 1:16 and pour it straight over ice. A 1:8 concentrate is a reliable starting point for most beans.

It multiplies the water side of the ratio by one plus the dilution amount. So a 1:8 concentrate cut with an equal part of water (a 1:1 dilution) drinks at 1:16, and a 1:5 concentrate cut with two parts water drinks at 1:15. The calculator reports that served ratio next to the total volume you end up with after dilution.

A quart is about 946 ml. Divide the batch size by the brewing ratio to get the grounds, so at 1:8 that is roughly 118 g of coffee steeped in 946 ml of water. Enter your batch in milliliters or fluid ounces and the calculator handles the division and the dilution math for you.

Weigh both for repeatable results, since a scoop of grounds varies with the grind and the bean. Water can be measured by volume because 1 ml weighs about 1 g, so 1000 ml of water is 1000 g. The calculator also shows an approximate tablespoon count for when you do not have a scale.

No, it works from the brewing ratio, so the brew water it shows is the amount you pour in. Coffee grounds hold back roughly twice their weight in liquid, so your actual concentrate yield runs a little lower than the water you added. Brew a slightly larger batch if you need an exact finished volume.