Coffee ratios are about weight, not scoops

A tablespoon of coffee varies by 4-8g depending on grind size and roast — the same "two scoops" can span nearly a 2x difference in actual coffee weight.

Why it works

Coffee-to-water ratios (1:16 for pour-over, 1:15 for French press, 1:2 for espresso) are defined by weight because volume measurement is genuinely unreliable — a kitchen scale removes the single biggest source of inconsistent home coffee.

Do it exactly

Estimate with the rule, then check it against the calculator that models it properly.

Open Tea & Coffee Brewing Calculator →

More in DIY

• Paint coverage assumes one coat on a primed wallA litre of paint claiming 12-14 m² coverage means one thin, even coat on primed drywall — dark-t…
• Mixing paint colours by volume, not by eyeA target colour from two base paints is a ratio problem, not a guess — the same two paints in a …
• Tap drill size is major diameter minus pitchFor a metric thread, the drill bit for tapping is simply the major diameter minus the thread pit…
• Wet concrete needs less volume than the dry ingredients that make itLoose sand and aggregate have air gaps between the particles — mixing needs roughly 1.54 times t…

Browse all 96 rules of thumb →