Cold Brew Coffee Ratio Calculator

Use this cold brew coffee ratio calculator to measure coffee, brew water, concentrate dilution, steep time, and served yield in metric or imperial units.

Build your batch

Water for brewing
ml
Water per gram of coffee
1:8
Parts of water per part brewed
1:1
A planning range
14 hours

Your batch

A smooth batch ready for the fridge

Ready to drink

Batch flow

Brew
125 g 1000 ml
Filter
750 ml 250 ml
Serve
750 ml 0 ml
Coffee dose Brew water Held by grounds Brewed yield Dilution water
Coffee grounds125 g
Brew water1000 ml
Approximate served yield750 ml
Ratio 1:8 Steep 14 hours Held by grounds 250 ml Dilution water 0 ml Balanced steep

Recipe steps

  1. 1

    Weigh 125 g of coarse ground coffee.

  2. 2

    Add 1000 ml of water and fully saturate the grounds.

  3. 3

    Cover and steep for about 14 hours.

  4. 4

    Chill and serve approximately 750 ml.

Zoom 100%
Utilities Studio

Want this utility on your website?

Customize colors and dark mode for WordPress, Notion or your own site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What coffee to water ratio should I use for cold brew?

Start with 1:8 for a ready to drink cold brew or 1:5 for a concentrate that you will dilute. The best ratio depends on the coffee, grind, steep time, and how you plan to serve it.

How much coffee do I need for 1 liter of cold brew?

At a 1:8 ratio, use 125 grams of coffee with 1,000 milliliters of brew water. The calculator also estimates the liquid held by the grounds so you can see the approximate served yield.

Can I calculate cold brew in ounces and fluid ounces?

Yes. Choose Imperial to see coffee in ounces and water in fluid ounces. The underlying calculation stays in grams and milliliters so the ratio remains consistent across measurement systems.

What is the difference between ready to drink cold brew and concentrate?

Ready to drink cold brew is brewed close to its serving strength. Concentrate uses more coffee per amount of brew water and is later mixed with water or milk before serving.

How long should cold brew steep?

A practical starting point is 12 to 18 hours for full immersion in a refrigerator or cool room. Shorter times may taste thin, while longer times can increase bitterness or astringency.

Does the calculator account for water retained by coffee grounds?

Yes. It uses an approximate retention of 2 milliliters per gram of coffee to estimate brewed yield. The estimate is not a measurement because filters, grind size, and draining time change the final result.

Is this calculator a food safety guide?

No. It calculates recipe quantities only. Use clean equipment, refrigerate the finished drink when appropriate, and follow current food safety guidance for storage and service.

# Cold Brew Ratio and Batch Planning

Cold brew is easier to repeat when coffee mass, brew water, dilution, and steep time are treated as separate controls. This calculator turns a target brew style into a weighed batch recipe.

# Choose Between Ready to Drink and Concentrate

A ready to drink recipe is brewed close to its serving strength. A concentrate recipe uses a tighter ratio and then adds dilution water after filtering. The visual batch card keeps both quantities visible.
Style Starting ratio Dilution Use
Ready to drink1:8NoneServe over ice or chilled
Smooth batch1:10NoneLighter everyday cup
Concentrate1:51:1Mix with water or milk

# How the Cold Brew Calculation Works

  • Coffee dose equals brew water divided by the selected ratio.
  • Brewed yield is estimated after subtracting approximately 2 milliliters of retained water per gram of coffee.
  • Concentrate dilution is calculated from the brewed yield, so the served volume remains easy to read.

# Metric and Imperial Cold Brew Measurements

Choose grams and milliliters for metric recipes or ounces and fluid ounces for imperial recipes. The calculator converts the display while keeping the underlying mass and volume relationship consistent.
Measurement Metric display Imperial display
Coffee dosegoz
Water and yieldmlfl oz
Brew ratio1 part coffee1 part coffee
Use the result as a starting recipe

Coffee origin, grind size, filter, temperature, and draining time all change extraction and final yield. Taste the first batch and adjust one variable at a time.

# Cold Brew Steep Time and Food Safety

The steep slider is a recipe planning aid, not a guarantee of flavour or safety. Use clean equipment and follow current guidance for chilling, storage, and serving.

Bibliographic References