Guide
Pour Over Ratio Guide
Choose the right pour over coffee ratio for stronger, lighter, cleaner or sweeter filter coffee.
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Quick Answer
The best starting pour over ratio is 1:16, such as 20g coffee to 320g water. Use 1:15 for a stronger, fuller cup and 1:17 for a lighter, cleaner cup. Ratio changes strength, but grind size, brew time and pouring technique still control extraction.
Key Takeaways
- 1Start at 1:16 for balanced pour over coffee.
- 2Use 1:15 for more strength and 1:17 for a lighter cup.
- 3Do not use ratio changes to fix every problem; sourness and bitterness usually need grind or extraction changes.
Pour over ratios are easy to calculate but easy to misunderstand. A ratio tells you how much water you use for a given amount of coffee. It controls beverage strength, but it does not automatically control extraction quality.
A 1:16 brew can be sour if the grind is too coarse. A 1:15 brew can be bitter if the drawdown is too slow. Ratio is the structure; grind and technique do the work.
Recommended Ratios
For most home brewers, 1:16 is the best baseline. It gives enough strength without hiding acidity or creating a watery cup.
How Ratio Changes Flavor
Do not assume stronger is always better. Some floral coffees become more beautiful at 1:16.5 or 1:17 because the aromatics open up.
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What To Read Next
Use this guide with the How to Make Pour Over Coffee, Coffee to Water Ratio Guide, Coffee Grind Size Guide, and Coffee Brewing Temperature Chart. For equipment choices, link to Pour Over Setup Guide.