Rice Calculator
Calculate dry rice amount and water for white, brown, basmati, jasmine, wild rice, and quinoa.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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Enter the number of servings and select your grain type to get exact measurements for dry rice and water. Here is what you need to know:
- Enter the number of servings. One serving equals 1/4 cup of dry rice, which produces approximately 3/4 cup of cooked rice, about 45g dry and 185g cooked. This is a standard side dish portion.
- Choose your grain type. Different grains absorb different amounts of water. White rice uses a 1:1.5 ratio (1 cup rice to 1.5 cups water). Brown rice needs more water (1:2.5) because the bran layer absorbs more slowly. Wild rice needs the most water (1:3). Quinoa uses 1:2. The calculator adjusts automatically for each grain.
- Read your results. The calculator shows dry rice in cups and grams, water in cups and milliliters, the expected cooked yield, and the rice-to-water ratio for reference.
Always rinse rice before cooking to remove excess starch, which helps prevent clumping. For best results, bring water to a boil, add rice, reduce to the lowest simmer, cover tightly, and do not lift the lid until the cooking time is complete.
About Rice Servings and Water Ratios
The standard dry rice serving used in professional cooking is 1/4 cup (about 45g) raw rice per person, which yields approximately 3/4 cup (185g) cooked. This tripling in volume is consistent across most rice varieties. The differences lie in cooking time and water absorption, not yield.
Water ratios vary because different rice types have different starch and bran structures. White rice (polished, bran removed) absorbs water quickly. Brown rice retains its bran layer, which acts as a barrier that slows water absorption and requires more water over a longer cook time. Basmati and jasmine are aromatic long-grain rices with slightly different hydration needs. Wild rice is technically a grass seed with a very fibrous hull requiring the most water. Quinoa is a seed, not a true grain, with a modest water requirement. All calculations run entirely in your browser. No data is stored or transmitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much dry rice do I need per person?
As a side dish, use 1/4 cup (about 45g) of dry rice per person, which yields approximately 3/4 cup cooked. As a main dish base (like a rice bowl), use 1/2 cup dry (90g) per person. Dry rice roughly triples in volume when cooked, so 1 cup dry rice makes about 3 cups cooked rice, which is enough for 3-4 side dish servings.
What is the correct rice to water ratio?
The ratio varies by rice type. White rice: 1 cup rice to 1.5 cups water. Brown rice: 1 cup to 2.5 cups (longer cook time, more water needed). Basmati rice: 1 cup to 1.5 cups. Jasmine rice: 1 cup to 1.25 cups (slightly less water for fluffier texture). Wild rice: 1 cup to 3 cups. Quinoa: 1 cup to 2 cups. These are for stovetop cooking with a tight lid. Rice cookers may need slightly different ratios.
Why does brown rice need more water than white rice?
Brown rice retains its outer bran layer (the layer that is removed to make white rice). This bran layer is fibrous and takes much longer to absorb water. White rice, with the bran removed, absorbs water rapidly. Because brown rice needs to absorb more water over a longer period (typically 40-50 minutes vs 15-20 minutes for white rice), it requires a higher water ratio. The extra water prevents the rice from scorching before the interior grains are fully cooked.
Should I rinse rice before cooking?
For most white rice, rinsing removes surface starch that can make rice sticky and gummy. Rinse until the water runs mostly clear. Basmati and jasmine rice benefit most from rinsing. For sticky rice or sushi rice, skip rinsing since the surface starch is what creates the desired sticky texture. Brown rice can be rinsed briefly but soaking it for 30-60 minutes before cooking can reduce cook time by 10-15 minutes. Quinoa should always be rinsed to remove saponins, which have a bitter soapy taste.