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Espresso Ratio Calculator

Dial in your espresso: brew ratio, target yield, flow rate and a grind tip from your dose, ratio and shot time.

Dose (coffee in)

Work by

Target ratio (1:N)

Target yield (coffee out)

Shot time

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How it works

By ratio: yield = dose × ratio · By yield: ratio = yield ÷ dose · brew ratio = 1 : (yield ÷ dose) · flow rate = yield ÷ shot time

Espresso is dosed by the ratio of dry coffee in to liquid espresso out, both weighed in grams. A modern normale is about 1:2 — 18 g in, 36 g out — which most people pull in roughly 25–32 seconds. Tighter ratios (1:1 to 1:1.5, ristretto) taste intense and syrupy; longer ones (1:3+, lungo) are milder and more diluted. Ratio sets the target; grind size sets the time. If the shot runs too fast, grind finer to add resistance; too slow, grind coarser. Change one variable at a time and taste.

Worked example

An 18 g dose at a 1:2 target ratio aims for 18 × 2 = 36 g in the cup. Pulled over 28 seconds that is a flow rate of 36 ÷ 28 = 1.29 g/s — right in the normale zone. If the same shot finished in 20 seconds you would grind finer to slow it back toward 28.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good espresso ratio to start with?

1:2 is the standard reference — 18 g in, 36 g out — and works for most medium-to-dark espresso blends. Go tighter (1:1.5) for a punchier, sweeter ristretto, or longer (1:2.5–1:3) for lighter roasts that need more water to extract fully.

My shot tastes sour or bitter — what changes it?

Sour and thin usually means under-extraction: grind finer or run a slightly longer ratio. Harsh and bitter means over-extraction: grind coarser or pull a shorter ratio. Keep the dose and basket the same and move one lever at a time so you know what did it.

Does shot time matter if the ratio is right?

Time is a symptom, not a target — it tells you whether your grind matches your ratio. Two shots at 1:2 can taste very different if one takes 18 s and the other 35 s. Aim the grind so your chosen ratio lands around 25–32 s, then judge by taste.

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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.