The "golden ratio" of coffee to water, according to most baristas and coffee enthusiasts, is 1:16. This means 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water. This is a great starting point for brewing coffee that’s balanced in flavor — not too strong, not too weak.

For a 12-cup pot of coffee, using the golden ratio of 1:16, you’ll need about 8 scoops or 16 tablespoons of ground coffee. 

What Is a "Cup" in Coffee?

Here’s where things can get tricky. A "cup" in standard U.S. measurements is 8 fluid ounces, but in the world of coffee, a "cup" is usually only 5-6 ounces. So, when you brew a 12-cup pot of coffee, you're actually making 60-72 ounces of coffee, not 96 ounces (which is what you'd expect using a standard cup).

How Much Coffee for 12 Cups?

For simplicity, let’s assume you’re brewing 72 ounces (6 ounces per cup). Using the 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio, you can calculate how much coffee you’ll need. Here’s a quick guide:

• For 12 cups (72 ounces) of coffee:
  • You’ll need approximately 72 ÷ 16 = 4.5 ounces of coffee, or about 128 grams.

But let’s break that down into more familiar terms:

• 128 grams of coffee is roughly 16 tablespoons or 8 standard coffee scoops.

In summary:

• 12 cups of coffee = 8 coffee scoops or 16 tablespoons of ground coffee.

Adjusting for Taste

While the 1:16 ratio is a great baseline, coffee is highly personal. Some people prefer a stronger brew, while others enjoy something milder. Here’s how you can adjust based on your preferences:

• For a stronger coffee: Use a 1:15 ratio (1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water). For 12 cups, this would be about 8.5 scoops or 17 tablespoons.
• For a milder coffee: Use a 1:17 ratio. For 12 cups, this would be 7.5 scoops or 15 tablespoons.

Do You Measure by Weight or Volume?

You may have noticed that we started with measurements in grams, then moved to scoops and tablespoons. While it's more precise to measure coffee by weight (using a kitchen scale), most people use scoops or tablespoons for convenience. If you want the most consistent results, investing in a simple scale will give you the most control over your brew.

For the record:

• 1 standard coffee scoop = 2 tablespoons
• 1 tablespoon of coffee = about 7 grams

A Few Extra Tips for Brewing a Great Pot of Coffee

1. Grind Size Matters: The grind size of your coffee should match your brewing method. For drip coffee makers, a medium grind works best. Too fine, and your coffee could taste bitter; too coarse, and it may end up weak.

2. Freshness Is Key: Always use freshly ground coffee beans if possible. Coffee starts losing its flavor as soon as it’s ground, so grinding right before brewing will give you the best taste.

3. Water Quality Counts: Use filtered water to avoid any off-flavors from chlorine or other minerals that may be present in tap water.

4. Preheat Your Coffee Maker: Some machines work better when preheated. Run a quick cycle with just water to get everything to the right temperature before brewing.

5. Don’t Let Coffee Sit Too Long: Once brewed, coffee starts to lose its optimal flavor after about 30 minutes, so enjoy it while it’s fresh!