Cold Brew Ratio Calculator
Start from your coffee weight and plan cold brew concentrate or ready-to-drink batches with confidence.
Big batches often start with 100–200 g of coarsely ground coffee.
Adjust to taste when serving the concentrate.
Water to Add
400 ml
Base ratio 1:4
Coffee (Tablespoons)
18.2 tbsp
Estimate when scooping grounds
Diluted Output
1000 ml
≈ 2.8 US pints
How to Use This Calculator
Select brew type
Choose concentrate for a strong brew you’ll dilute later, or ready-to-drink for direct serving strength.
Input your coffee amount
Work with grams or convert from tablespoons. Coarsely ground beans work best for cold brew.
Adjust dilution (optional)
When making concentrate, plan how you’ll cut it with water or milk once it’s steeped.
Formula
water = coffee × (1 ÷ baseRatio)
dilutedVolume = (coffee + water) × dilutionFactor
dilutionFactor = (partsConcentrate + partsWater) ÷ partsConcentrate
Example: 150 g coffee concentrate → water = 150 × 4 = 600 ml → concentrate volume = 750 ml.
Serving: Dilute 1:1 → diluted volume = 750 × 2 = 1500 ml. Adjust ratios for sweeter or bolder drinks.
Full Description
Cold brew relies on long steep times and coarse grinds. Because extraction happens at room or fridge temperature, higher coffee-to-water ratios are needed to achieve robust flavor. This calculator helps you scale recipes without guesswork, whether you’re prepping concentrate for a week of iced coffees or making a ready-to-drink pitcher for guests.
Concentrate allows you to dilute to taste and mix with milk, tonic water, or sweeteners. Ready-to-drink cold brew simplifies serving—just ice and enjoy. The tool supports both by outputting water requirements, tablespoon estimates, and final volumes.
Tips for success
- Steep concentrate 12–18 hours in the fridge; ready-to-drink batches 16–20 hours.
- Coarse burr grinds prevent sediment and ease filtration.
- Filter with cheesecloth or a metal sieve for clarity.
- Store concentrate airtight for up to 10 days; diluted cold brew for 3–4 days.
Once brewed, taste and adjust dilution. Many cafes use 1:1 or 1:2 concentrate-to-water ratios depending on bean roast and desired strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I brew smaller batches?
Yes. Enter less coffee and follow the same ratios. Even 50 g coffee works for a small Mason jar.
What beans work best?
Medium to dark roasts often shine in cold brew because of their chocolatey, smooth flavors, but experiment freely.
How do I sweeten cold brew?
Mix simple syrup or flavored syrups after dilution. Cold brew doesn’t dissolve granulated sugar well.
Can I heat cold brew?
Absolutely. Add hot water to the concentrate for a gentler hot coffee or microwave diluted cold brew.