Portions first
Dry weights make it easier to avoid a panful of accidental leftovers or too little food.
Cooking Ratio CalculatorRice, pasta, grains and portionsHow to use the cooking ratio calculator
Choose the ingredient, servings and portion size. The calculator gives the total dry weight and a starting amount of water, stock or milk where the ingredient uses measured liquid. For boil-and-drain rice and pasta, it instead gives a practical minimum amount of pan water.
Cooking ratios are a useful start, not a rule carved into the kitchen worktop. Rinsing, soaking, pan width, a tight-fitting lid, hob heat, altitude and the brand of rice or pasta can all change the result. Follow packet instructions if they disagree with this page.
Use a measuring jug
For absorption cooking, measure liquid by volume rather than guessing by eye.
Taste and adjust
Salt, seasoning, resting time and texture are personal choices, not calculator outputs.
Rice-to-water ratios explained
White rice types do not all absorb liquid in the same way. Basmati is often cooked with less water than long-grain white rice, while brown rice usually needs more liquid and time. Risotto is different again: stock is added gradually, so a total liquid estimate is more useful than a fixed covered-pan ratio.
The calculator keeps the labels clear: a ratio of 1 to 1.5 means one part dry ingredient to one and a half parts liquid by weight or volume for an everyday kitchen estimate. It shows millilitres because that is usually simplest with a measuring jug.
Basmati and jasmine
These are commonly rinsed and cooked covered with a smaller measured amount of water.
Brown rice
Allow more liquid and a longer cooking time. Check the packet because varieties differ.
Boil and drain
Use plenty of water, then drain when the rice is tender rather than relying on absorption.
Cooking ratio questions
How much dry rice is one portion?
A standard main-meal starting point is around 75 grams per person. Use a lighter portion for a side dish or a generous one when rice is the main event.
How much pasta per person?
Around 100 grams of dried pasta is a common main-meal portion. Sauce, sides and appetite can make a smaller amount feel right.
Can I use stock instead of water?
Yes, where the recipe suits it. Use the same liquid quantity as a starting point, but check salt levels and the packet or recipe instructions.