Cold Brew Calculator
Calculate coffee, water, steep time, and dilution for concentrate or ready-to-drink cold brew.
Your cold brew recipe
Balanced concentrate
Coffee132 g
Brew water658 ml
- Estimated filtered yield
- 500 ml
- Grind size
- Coarse
- Steep time
- 16-20 hours
- Serve with
- 2 parts water or milk
- Final drink volume
- 1.5 L
- Approximate servings
- 6 × 250 ml
Combine the coarse grounds and water, make sure every ground is wet, then steep covered before filtering slowly.
Yield is an estimate that allows for water retained by the grounds. Coffee, grind, filter, and draining time change the actual amount, so keep a little extra water available for your first batch.
Cold brew ratio guide
Concentrate uses much more coffee and is diluted after filtering. Ready-to-drink cold brew is brewed closer to serving strength.
| Style | Strength | Coffee-to-water ratio | Starting steep | How to serve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concentrate | Strong | 1:4 | 14-18 hours | Dilute 1:2 or to taste |
| Concentrate | Balanced | 1:5 | 16-20 hours | Dilute 1:2 or to taste |
| Concentrate | Light | 1:6 | 16-20 hours | Dilute 1:1 or to taste |
| Ready to drink | Strong | 1:10 | 14-18 hours | Serve over ice |
| Ready to drink | Balanced | 1:14 | 16-20 hours | Serve over ice |
| Ready to drink | Light | 1:16 | 16-20 hours | Serve over ice |
A clean, repeatable method
Cold water extracts slowly. Even wetting, coarse grounds, enough time, and gentle filtering keep the recipe predictable.
- Wet all groundsAdd water slowly and stir only enough to remove dry pockets.
- Steep coveredLeave the brewer at room temperature or in the refrigerator according to your recipe.
- Filter patientlyLet gravity work. Pressing or squeezing can push fine sediment into the drink.
Starting points, then taste
OXO recommends coarse grounds, a 1:4 concentrate ratio, and a 12-24 hour steep. Toddy publishes cold brew evaluation ratios from 1:5 concentrate through 1:14 typical ready-to-drink. These calculator ranges are practical starting points built around that guidance.
Cold brew questions
What is the best coffee-to-water ratio for cold brew?
For concentrate, start around 1:4 to 1:6 coffee to water by weight. For ready-to-drink cold brew, start around 1:10 to 1:16 and adjust after tasting.
How long should cold brew steep?
A 12-24 hour range is common. This calculator narrows the starting time by recipe strength, but beans, temperature, and taste can justify a shorter or longer steep.
Should cold brew use a coarse grind?
Yes, coarse grounds are a dependable starting point. They filter more easily and are well suited to the long contact time used for cold brewing.
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