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Drip Coffee Calculator
Calculate exactly how much coffee to use in your drip coffee maker. Supports 5 oz maker cups and outputs in tablespoons, scoops, and grams.
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Morning Drip Coffee
Two standard cups of medium-strength drip coffee.
Key values: 2 cups (6 oz each) · Medium strength · Arabica beans
Espresso Double Shot
A classic double espresso with standard extraction.
Key values: 18g dose · Normale profile · 25-30 sec pull
Cold Brew Concentrate
A batch of cold brew concentrate for the week.
Key values: 500 mL water · Strong ratio 1:4 · 18-24 hr steep
V60 Pour-Over
A single precise pour-over with bloom calculation.
Key values: 1 cup · Medium-strong · Bloom water shown
Automatic Drip Coffee
Drip coffee makers heat water and disperse it over a bed of ground coffee in a filter basket. Gravity pulls the water through the grounds, and the brewed coffee collects in a carafe below. It is the most common brewing method worldwide.
The SCAA Golden Cup Standard
The Specialty Coffee Association defines the “Golden Cup” standard:
This ratio produces coffee with 1.15–1.35% total dissolved solids (TDS) — the concentration most people find balanced and flavorful.
| Cups (6 oz each) | Water (ml) | Coffee (g) | Tablespoons (~5g each) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 355 | 20 | 4 |
| 4 | 710 | 39 | 8 |
| 6 | 1065 | 59 | 12 |
| 8 | 1420 | 79 | 16 |
| 10 | 1775 | 99 | 20 |
| 12 | 2130 | 118 | 24 |
Note: A “cup” on most coffee makers is 6 oz (177 ml), not the standard 8 oz measuring cup. Check your machine's markings.
Grind Size for Drip
Use a medium grind — roughly the texture of sand. The grind should match the brew time:
| Filter type | Grind | Brew time |
|---|---|---|
| Flat-bottom basket | Medium | 4–6 minutes |
| Cone filter | Medium-fine | 3–4 minutes |
| Gold/metal mesh | Medium | 4–6 minutes |
Water Quality
Coffee is 98% water. The SCAA recommends water with 150 ppm total dissolved solids, a pH of 7.0, and no chlorine taste. Too-soft water under-extracts (flat, sour); too-hard water over-extracts (chalky, bitter) and causes scale buildup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the golden ratio for drip coffee?
The SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) Golden Cup standard is 55 g of coffee per 1 liter of water, which equals a 1:18 ratio. This produces coffee with 1.15-1.35% total dissolved solids (TDS), the concentration most people find balanced and flavorful.
Why does my coffee maker say 12 cups but only make 60 oz?
Most drip coffee makers define a “cup” as 5-6 oz (148-177 ml), not the standard 8 oz US measuring cup. A “12-cup” machine at 5 oz per cup holds only 60 oz. Always check your carafe markings to know the actual volume.
What grind size should I use for drip coffee?
Use a medium grind, roughly the texture of sand. For flat-bottom baskets, use medium grind with a 4-6 minute brew time. For cone filters, use medium-fine with a 3-4 minute brew time. Too fine clogs the filter; too coarse under-extracts.
How does water quality affect drip coffee taste?
Coffee is 98% water. The SCA recommends water with 150 ppm total dissolved solids, a pH of 7.0, and no chlorine taste. Too-soft water under-extracts (flat, sour taste); too-hard water over-extracts (chalky, bitter taste) and causes mineral scale buildup in your machine.
How many tablespoons of coffee for 6 cups in a drip machine?
For 6 cups at 6 oz each (1,065 ml total water), use about 59 g of coffee at a 1:18 ratio. That is approximately 12 level tablespoons or 6 standard scoops of medium-ground coffee.
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