Cold Brew Ratio Calculator
Calculate the coffee-to-water ratio for making cold brew concentrate and ready-to-drink cold brew.
This free online cold brew ratio calculator provides instant results with no signup required. All calculations run directly in your browser — your data is never sent to a server. Enter your values below and see results update in real time as you type. Perfect for everyday calculations, homework, or professional use.
Total water amount
Water-to-coffee ratio (4-5 for concentrate, 8-10 for ready-to-drink)
Concentrate dilution (1 = no dilution, 2 = equal parts water)
Results
Coffee Grounds
200 g
Concentrate Yield
600 mL
Final Volume (diluted)
1200 mL
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your input values
Fill in all required input fields for the Cold Brew Ratio Calculator. Most fields include unit selectors so you can work in your preferred unit system — metric or imperial, whichever matches your problem.
Review your inputs
Double-check that all values are correct and that you have selected the right units for each field. Incorrect units are the most common source of calculation errors and can produce results that are off by factors of 2, 10, or more.
Read the results
The Cold Brew Ratio Calculator instantly computes the output and displays results with units clearly labeled. All calculations happen in your browser — no loading time and no data sent to a server.
Explore parameter sensitivity
Try adjusting individual input values to see how the output changes. This is a quick and effective way to develop intuition about how different parameters influence the result and to identify which inputs have the largest effect.
When to Use This Calculator
- •Use the Cold Brew Ratio Calculator when you need accurate results quickly without the risk of manual computation errors or unit conversion mistakes.
- •Use it to verify calculations made by hand or in spreadsheets — an independent check can catch errors before they lead to costly decisions.
- •Use it to explore how changing input parameters affects the output — a quick way to develop intuition and identify the most influential variables.
- •Use it when collaborating with others to ensure everyone is working from the same numbers and applying the same assumptions.
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About Cold Brew Ratio Calculator
Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold or room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours. The result is a smooth, low-acid concentrate that can be diluted with water, milk, or ice to taste. Unlike iced coffee (which is hot-brewed coffee poured over ice), cold brew extracts flavors slowly without heat, producing a distinctly mellow profile. This calculator helps you determine how much coffee to use for your desired batch size and strength. Concentrate recipes use a strong ratio of 1:4 to 1:5, while ready-to-drink ratios of 1:8 to 1:10 produce a brew that can be consumed as-is.
The Math Behind It
Formula Reference
Cold Brew Coffee
Coffee (g) = Water (mL) / Ratio
Variables: Concentrate uses 1:4 to 1:5; ready-to-drink uses 1:8 to 1:10.
Worked Examples
Example 1: 1 liter batch of cold brew concentrate at 1:5
Water = 1000 mL, Ratio = 1:5, Dilution = 2x
Use 200 grams of coarsely ground coffee. Yields about 600 mL of concentrate, or 1200 mL after dilution.
Common Mistakes & Tips
- !Grinding too fine, which over-extracts during the long steep and creates a bitter brew.
- !Not accounting for water absorbed by the grounds -- you will get less concentrate than water used.
- !Steeping too long (over 24 hours) which can introduce harsh, astringent flavors.
- !Using the same ratio as hot coffee, resulting in weak cold brew.
Related Concepts
Used in These Calculators
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long should cold brew steep?
Steep for 12 to 18 hours at room temperature or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. Longer is not necessarily better -- over-steeping can extract unpleasant bitter compounds.
What is the difference between cold brew concentrate and ready-to-drink?
Concentrate uses a strong ratio (1:4 to 1:5) and is meant to be diluted before drinking. Ready-to-drink cold brew uses a weaker ratio (1:8 to 1:10) and can be consumed straight from the jar.
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