1:17, 1:2… you see these numbers everywhere in the specialty coffee world—but what do they actually mean?
Simply put, these are coffee brewing ratios: the relationship between the amount of coffee grounds and the amount of water used.
For example: 1 part coffee to 17 parts water (1:17).
These ratios help us standardize coffee preparation, ensuring every cup has a consistent flavor, strength, and caffeine level. Without ratios, you could have two espresso shots that look similar but taste completely different.
How Coffee Ratios Work
We usually measure coffee and water using the metric system—grams for coffee, milliliters for water. Here’s a quick example using espresso:
The standard espresso ratio is 1:2 (according to Coffee Bros).
That means for every gram of ground coffee, you aim for 2 milliliters of espresso.
For instance:
- 18g coffee → 36ml espresso
- 9g coffee → 18ml espresso
This keeps things consistent and repeatable.
Common Coffee Ratios at a Glance:
| Drink | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Ristretto | 1:1 |
| Espresso | 1:2 |
| Lungo | 1:3 or 1:4 |
| Filter Coffee | 1:12 – 1:18 |
(Yes—filter coffee has a wide range. There’s a whole post to come just on that!)
Ratios for Milk Drinks:
According to EspressoWorks, ven espresso-and-milk drinks follow ratios:
- Latte: 1:4 (one part espresso, four parts steamed milk)
- Cappuccino: Roughly 1:1:1 (espresso, steamed milk, milk foam)
Of course, these are just guidelines—coffee is personal. Some people prefer a lighter cup, others like it bold. The fun is in experimenting.
Curious to dive deeper into ratios and hands-on coffee preparation?
Let’s book a workshop together and bring your coffee game to the next level.