Cold Brew Coffee Ratio Calculator
Brew cafe-quality cold brew at home by pairing your coffee dose with the correct water ratio and any post-steep dilution. The calculator walks you through the same workflow used in professional cupping labs so every batch tastes consistent, even when you scale up for brunch crowds.
| Brew water needed | |
|---|---|
| Concentrate yield | |
| Diluted serving volume |
How the math protects flavor
Cold brew relies on immersion, so the ratio between coffee and water is the main lever for flavor. The brew water mass is the coffee dose multiplied by the water-to-coffee ratio :
Because one gram of water roughly equals one milliliter, the same value doubles as brew volume. After steeping, coffee absorbs about two grams of water per gram of dry grounds, so the concentrate yield approximates . Finally, the serving dilution factor stretches the concentrate into ready-to-drink cold brew with volume .
The calculator performs these conversions instantly, letting you test how stronger ratios or larger dilution factors affect the final serving size. If any value falls outside sensible ranges—such as a dilution less than one—it flags the issue and prompts a correction instead of producing nonsense output.
Example calculation
Entering 80 grams of coffee, a 1:6 water ratio, and a 1.5 dilution factor yields 480 grams of brew water, around 320 grams of concentrate after absorption, and roughly 720 grams of finished cold brew. Doubling the coffee dose doubles every number, making it effortless to scale for a weekend brunch or café service.
Choosing the right ratio
A lower ratio such as 1:4 produces syrupy concentrate for iced lattes, while 1:8 gives a lighter, ready-to-drink brew that you can pour straight from the fridge. Use the calculator to rehearse both options before a busy morning so you know how much filtered water to pre-measure and how many bottles to chill.
| Style | Coffee dose | Water ratio | Dilution | Serving suggestion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ready-to-drink fridge batch | 70 g | 1:10 | 1.0 | Sip chilled without extra water |
| Latte-friendly concentrate | 90 g | 1:5 | 1.8 | Mix with milk or sweet cream |
| High-caffeine shots | 110 g | 1:4 | 2.0 | Serve over ice or soda water |
Keeping batches consistent
Record each brew’s grind setting, steep time, and flavor notes alongside the ratio. If a batch turns out weak, lower the dilution factor or grind slightly finer next time. If it tastes bitter, extend dilution or choose a higher water ratio. Pair this tool with the coffee brew ratio calculator, compare espresso workflows with the espresso extraction yield calculator, and fine-tune machine upkeep using the coffee maker descaling schedule calculator so every brewing method in your kitchen follows a repeatable playbook.
Troubleshooting common issues
Sour or grassy flavor often signals under-extraction—lengthen the steep time or reduce the water ratio. Bitter, drying cups usually benefit from a higher ratio or a shorter steep. If you notice excessive sediment, upgrade to a coarser grinder or filter the concentrate through a paper cone before bottling. Because the calculator estimates absorption, large grind changes may alter yield slightly; re-run the math each time you adjust technique to keep inventory forecasts accurate.
Store finished concentrate in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Labeling jars with brew date, ratio, and dilution makes it easy to replicate winning recipes or tweak them seasonally with new single-origin beans.