The 4-6 method is a specialized brewing technique designed to give you total control over the flavor and strength of your pour over coffee. Developed by World Brewers Cup Champion Tetsu Kasuya, this method is based on the idea that the first 40% of your water determines the balance of sweetness and acidity, while the remaining 60% determines the strength. This 4-6 method calculator does the math for you, providing the exact water weights for each pour based on your desired coffee amount.

How to Use the 4-6 Method Calculator

To get a perfect cup every time, you need a digital scale and a V60 dripper. Follow these steps:

1. Enter Your Coffee Weight: Input how many grams of coffee beans you are using. A standard starting point is 20 grams.
2. Select Your Ratio: The classic 4-6 ratio is 1:15 (one part coffee to 15 parts water). If you prefer a different strength, you can use our unit converter tool to switch between grams and ounces for your final volume.
3. Adjust for Taste: Choose whether you want a sweeter or more acidic brew.
4. Follow the Pour Schedule: The calculator will give you five specific water weights. Pour the water in stages, waiting for the coffee to drain completely before starting the next pour.

Understanding the 40/60 Split

The beauty of this method lies in its simplicity. By dividing your total water into five pours, you can adjust the profile of your coffee without changing your grind size or temperature.

The First 40% (The Flavor)

The first two pours determine the balance between acidity and sweetness.

• More Sweetness: Use less water in the first pour and more in the second.
• More Acidity: Use more water in the first pour and less in the second. Using a percentage calculator can help you visualize how these small shifts in water weight impact the final flavor profile.

The Remaining 60% (The Strength)

The final three pours determine how concentrated the coffee feels in your mouth.

• Lighter Body: Use fewer, larger pours (e.g., two pours of 30%).
• Heavier Body: Use more, smaller pours (e.g., three pours of 20%).

Expert Tips for the 4-6 Method

According to Hario’s brewing guides, the grind size for the 4-6 method should be much coarser than a standard pour over. It should look like coarse sea salt.

• Water Temperature: Aim for 92 degrees Celsius (198 degrees Fahrenheit). If your kettle only shows one unit, use our unit converter to find the correct setting.
• Patience is Key: Wait for the water to drain through the grounds entirely before starting the next pour. This usually takes about 45 seconds per stage.
• Consistency: If you are brewing as part of a 36-hour fast, black coffee made with the 4-6 method provides a clean, jitter-free experience because the extraction is so controlled.

Why This Method Works

Most brewing methods focus solely on time and temperature. The 4-6 method treats water as a tool for extraction. By spacing out the pours, you are effectively “washing” the coffee grounds in stages, which prevents the over-extraction of bitter compounds. If you often enjoy sweetened coffee, you might find that this method brings out so much natural sweetness that you can reduce your use of sweeteners. You can even check your sugar syrup ratios to see how much less you might need after mastering this brew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a standard coffee pot for this?

No. This method requires a conical dripper like the Hario V60. The shape of the filter and the large hole at the bottom are necessary for the water to drain at the correct speed.

Why is my coffee still bitter?

If your coffee tastes bitter, your grind is likely too fine. Coarsen your grind and try again. The 4-6 method is very sensitive to grind size because of the long total brew time.

How do I calculate the total water?

If you use 20g of coffee at a 1:15 ratio, your total water weight is 300g. Our calculator breaks this 300g into the five pours automatically so you don’t have to do the mental math while your water is cooling. For more complex math tasks, you can always refer to our percentage calculator to adjust your custom brew ratios.