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Rice to Water Ratio Calculator

Get the exact water measurement for any rice, white, brown, basmati, jasmine, sushi, wild, or risotto, on the stove, in a rice cooker, Instant Pot, or microwave.

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What Is the Rice-to-Water Ratio?

The rice-to-water ratio is how much liquid you add for every part of dry rice. Get it right and the grains fully hydrate and separate; get it wrong and you end up with mush or a crunchy bottom layer.

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Why the Ratio Changes by Rice Type

Long grain rices like basmati need less water than short or medium grain rices, and brown or wild rice need much more because their bran layer takes longer to absorb liquid. That's why one universal ratio never works for every bag of rice.

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Should You Rinse Your Rice?

Rinsing washes away surface starch, which is what makes rice clump or turn gluey. Sushi rice and sticky short grains benefit most from a thorough rinse, while parboiled and some basmati is fine straight from the bag.

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Cooking Method and Altitude

A sealed rice cooker or pressure cooker loses far less water to evaporation than an open pot, so it needs less liquid and less time. At high altitude, water boils at a lower temperature, so add a splash more water and a few extra minutes of cooking time.

Your Rice & Water Amounts

Water

1.46cups

Water

345ml

Cook Time

15-18min

Cooked Yield

3cups cooked

Salt

0.5tsp

Long-grain white rice cooks up light and fluffy with separate grains. Perfect as a simple side. Bring to a boil, then reduce to the lowest simmer, cover, and don't lift the lid.

How to Use This Calculator

1

Choose Your Rice Type

Select the rice you're cooking, white, brown, basmati, jasmine, sushi, wild, arborio, or another variety. Each has its own natural water ratio and cook time.

2

Pick Your Cooking Method

Stovetop, rice cooker, Instant Pot, and microwave all lose water at different rates. The calculator adjusts the ratio and cook time automatically for the method you pick.

3

Decide Whether to Rinse

Rinsing removes surface starch and slightly reduces the water you need. Skip it if you want extra-creamy rice, like risotto.

4

Measure and Cook

Enter how many cups of dry rice you're making, then use the water amount, salt, and cook time shown below.

Rice to Water Ratio Chart

Rice TypeWater : RiceCook TimeRinse?Best For
Long-Grain White Rice1.5 : 115-18 minOptionalEveryday side dishes, pilafs
Basmati Rice1.5 : 112-15 minRecommendedCurries, biryani
Jasmine Rice1.33 : 115-18 minRecommendedThai and Southeast Asian dishes
Sushi Rice (Short-Grain)1.1 : 118-20 minRequiredSushi, onigiri
Brown Rice (Long-Grain)2 : 140-45 minOptionalWhole-grain bowls, salads
Wild Rice3 : 145-50 minRecommendedStuffings, hearty salads
Arborio Rice (Risotto)3 : 1 (added gradually)18-20 minOptionalRisotto
Parboiled / Converted Rice2 : 120-25 minOptionalFluffy, separate grains
Black Rice (Forbidden Rice)1.75 : 130-35 minRecommendedGrain bowls, desserts
Red Rice2 : 135-40 minRecommendedSalads, Bhutanese dishes

Common Questions About Cooking Rice

Why is my rice mushy or gummy?
Mushy rice almost always means too much water, too little heat control, or too much stirring. Stirring releases starch and makes grains stick together. Use the ratio for your exact rice type and method, and keep the lid on during cooking.
Why is my rice hard, crunchy, or undercooked?
A crunchy or undercooked center usually means too little water or lifting the lid too soon, which lets steam escape. If your rice still feels underdone after the timer, add a splash of water, cover, and cook a few more minutes.
Do I really need to rinse rice before cooking?
It's not mandatory, but rinsing removes surface starch and prevents gumminess, especially with short and medium grain rices like sushi rice. Long grain white rice and basmati can be cooked unrinsed with good results.
Does altitude change the rice-to-water ratio?
Yes. Water boils at a lower temperature above roughly 3,000 feet (900 m), so rice takes longer to cook. Add about 2 tablespoons of extra water per cup of rice and extend the cooking time by a few minutes.
How much cooked rice does 1 cup of dry rice make?
Most white rice roughly triples in volume, so 1 cup of dry rice makes about 3 cups cooked. Brown rice and wild rice absorb more water and can yield closer to 3.5-4 cups per dry cup.
Can I cook rice in broth or stock instead of water?
Yes, swapping water for stock or broth adds flavor without changing the ratio. If your stock is already salted, skip or reduce the added salt in the calculator.
Rice to Water Ratio Calculator | Mad Spatula