What is the standard cold brew ratio?

The most common ratio for ready-to-drink cold brew is 1:8 (coffee:water by weight) — for example, 125 g of coffee per 1 liter of water. Concentrate uses 1:4, yielding a brew you dilute 1:1 with water or milk before drinking.

Should I measure coffee by weight or volume?

Weight is far more accurate. Coffee density varies by grind size and roast level, so a cup of ground coffee can range from 60 g to 120 g. Use a kitchen scale for repeatable results. This calculator always outputs grams as the primary unit.

What grind size should I use?

Coarse grind — similar to raw sugar or breadcrumbs — is ideal for immersion cold brew. It extracts slowly over 12–24 hours and is easy to filter. Medium-coarse works for slow-drip setups with faster flow rates.

How long should cold brew steep?

At room temperature: 12–16 hours. In the refrigerator: 18–24 hours. Longer steeping increases extraction, so taste periodically and filter when it reaches your preferred strength.

What is the difference between immersion and slow drip?

Immersion cold brew steeps all the coffee and water together in a jar or pitcher — simple and forgiving. Slow drip (also called Kyoto-style) drips cold water through coffee grounds over several hours, producing a cleaner, lighter cup with more floral notes.

How much concentrate should I dilute?

A 1:4 concentrate is typically diluted 1:1 with water, milk, or ice, bringing it to an effective 1:8 drinking strength. Adjust to taste — some people prefer 1:1.5 or 1:2 dilution for a stronger cup.

Cold Brew Ratio Calculator

Enter your desired batch size, pick a ratio (concentrate 1:4 or regular 1:8), and get the exact coffee and water amounts in grams, ounces, or cups.

Batch Settings

Target Batch Size

Brew Ratio (coffee : water by weight)

Concentrate 1:4 Dilute before drinking Regular 1:8 Ready to drink

Brewing Method

Immersion Steep in jar / pitcher Slow Drip Drip tower / Kyoto-style

Results

Set your batch size and click Calculate

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Summary

Cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for 12–24 hours. The coffee-to-water ratio determines strength: a 1:4 ratio (by weight) produces a concentrate you dilute before drinking, while 1:8 produces a ready-to-drink brew. This calculator takes your target yield — in cups, liters, or fluid ounces — and returns the exact coffee and water amounts so every batch is consistent.

How it works

Enter your target batch size and choose the unit (cups, liters, or fluid ounces).
Select a brew style: Concentrate (1:4 coffee-to-water) or Regular (1:8).
Choose your preferred method: Immersion (steep in jar) or Slow Drip.
The calculator treats the selected batch size as the target water volume and calculates coffee weight from the selected coffee-to-water ratio.
Results are shown in grams, ounces, and cups so you can use a kitchen scale or measuring cups.

Use cases

Brewing a large batch of cold brew concentrate for the week.
Scaling a recipe up for a party or meal prep.
Dialing in a consistent daily single-serve cold brew.
Converting a recipe between cups, liters, and fluid ounces.
Comparing concentrate vs. regular brew amounts before shopping.
Setting up a slow-drip cold brew tower with the right coffee dose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-15 · Reviewed by Nham Vu