Get the right coffee dose for any amount of water, with cups, strength and an estimated caffeine figure for your brew method.
Caffeine is an estimate: beans, roast and grind all change it. Tablespoons are approximate — weigh coffee in grams for repeatable results.
Coffee needed
How to use this tool
Type how much water you plan to brew with, in millilitres.
1 : 16 is a balanced starting point; go to 1 : 15 for stronger coffee or 1 : 17–1 : 18 for lighter coffee.
The method is shown for guidance — grind size and brew time still matter, so adjust to taste.
A tablespoon of coffee can vary by grams depending on grind and bean; a cheap scale gives the same cup every day.
Formula & worked example
Brewing 500 ml at 1 : 16 needs 31.25 g of coffee (about 3 tablespoons), makes 2 cups of 250 ml, and contains an estimated 203 mg of caffeine.
Limitations — read this before you rely on it
Caffeine is an estimate only: bean variety, roast level, grind and extraction change the real figure. Ratios are a starting point — taste and adjust by a gram or two.
Frequently asked questions
Start at 1 : 16. If the cup tastes weak, use more coffee (1 : 15); if it tastes harsh or bitter, use less (1 : 17).
Roughly 10 g for medium-ground coffee, but it varies with grind and bean density — weighing is far more reliable.
Slightly: immersion methods like French press often suit a touch more coffee, while pour-over suits the standard ratio. The calculator keeps the ratio you choose.
A 250 ml cup brewed at 1 : 16 holds about 100 mg by this estimate — similar to a typical brewed coffee, but beans vary.
Yes: enter the full water volume and the dose scales linearly, so a 1 litre brew at 1 : 16 needs 62.5 g.