Enter the amount and type of rice to get the water you need and the cooking time.
Last updated: November 7, 2026
Water and time by type of rice
With the absorption method, the water is proportional to the weight of the rice. Since 1 ml of water weighs about 1 g, the ratio carries straight over between grams and milliliters. Approximate ratios (water as a multiple of the dry rice weight): • Basmati: 1.5×, 15 min • Jasmine: 1.4×, 15 min • Long-grain white: 1.8×, 18 min • Short-grain (sushi, risotto type): 1.2×, 15 min • Brown: 2.2×, 40 min • Parboiled: 2×, 20 min Example: 200 g of basmati needs 200 × 1.5 = 300 ml of water. Rinsing rice in cold water before cooking removes surface starch and keeps the grains separate. Once it boils, turn the heat down, cover the pot and leave the lid on; then take it off the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes. A wide pot loses more steam, so you may need a little extra water. These values are a starting point, since package instructions vary by brand.
Common questions about the water to rice ratio
It depends on the type: about 1.8 times the rice's weight in water for long-grain white rice, 1.5 for basmati and 2.2 for brown rice. By volume, 1 cup of white rice takes about 1¾ cups of water.
Other tools you may find useful
Weight of the uncooked rice.
The ratio depends on the type.