Brown Rice Water Ratio
Written by Mustapha B. · Updated August 13, 2026
Brown rice uses a 1:2.5 ratio and a longer cook. Enter servings below.
You’ll need
Brown rice keeps its bran layer, so it needs more water and a longer cook than white rice. A reliable stovetop ratio is about 2.25 to 2.5 cups of water for every 1 cup of brown rice. Bring it to a boil, then cover and simmer gently for roughly 40 to 50 minutes until the water is absorbed and the grains are tender but still a little chewy. Resist lifting the lid, which lets out the steam that does the cooking.
A helpful finishing step is to let the pot rest, covered and off the heat, for about 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork so the grains separate. If your rice still tastes firm when the water is gone, add a splash more and cook a few minutes longer. Enter your servings and the calculator gives you the exact brown rice, water, and yield so the pot comes out right every time.
Rice Water Ratio Calculator, reference
| Rice variety | Per serving |
|---|---|
| White long-grain (1:2) | 0.25 cups dry rice · 0.5 cups water · Cook time: 18 min |
| Basmati (1:1.5) | 0.25 cups dry rice · 0.375 cups water · Cook time: 15 min |
| Jasmine (1:1.5) | 0.25 cups dry rice · 0.375 cups water · Cook time: 15 min |
| Brown (1:2.5) | 0.25 cups dry rice · 0.625 cups water · Cook time: 45 min |
| Sushi (1:1.25) | 0.25 cups dry rice · 0.3125 cups water · Cook time: 20 min |
Tips
- One serving is about ¼ cup of dry rice (≈ ¾ cup cooked).
- Rinse rice until the water runs clear for fluffier, less sticky grains.
- Let rice rest, covered, off the heat for 5–10 minutes before fluffing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the water-to-rice ratio for brown rice?
Use about 2.25 to 2.5 cups of water per 1 cup of brown rice. The extra water and a 40 to 50 minute simmer soften the bran layer that white rice does not have.
Why is my brown rice still hard after cooking?
It likely needed more water or time. Add a splash of water, cover, and simmer a few more minutes, then rest it off the heat for 10 minutes before fluffing.