2 Cups of Rice: How Much Water Do You Need?
Quick answer: For 2 cups of white rice, use 4 cups of water on the stove or 2 to 2.5 cups of water in a rice cooker. Rice cookers lose very little steam, so they need much less water than a pot. 2 cups of uncooked rice makes about 6 cups of cooked rice, enough for 6 to 8 servings.
Last updated: November 1, 2026
Water for 2 cups of rice, by type and method
These are good starting points. Brands, age of the rice and your cooker vary, so adjust a little next time if the result is too firm or too soft.
| Rice type | On the stove (rice : water) | In a rice cooker (rice : water) |
|---|---|---|
| Long-grain white | 1 : 2 (4 cups) | 1 : 1 to 1 : 1.25 (2 to 2.5 cups) |
| Jasmine | 1 : 1.5 (3 cups) | 1 : 1 to 1 : 1.25 (2 to 2.5 cups) |
| Basmati | 1 : 1.5 (3 cups) | 1 : 1.25 to 1 : 1.5 (2.5 to 3 cups) |
| Sushi / short-grain | 1 : 1.25 (2.5 cups) | 1 : 1 to 1 : 1.1 (2 to 2.2 cups) |
| Brown | 1 : 2 to 1 : 2.5 (4 to 5 cups) | 1 : 1.75 to 1 : 2 (3.5 to 4 cups) |
The numbers in brackets are the water for 2 cups of rice.
How much water for 2 cups of rice in a rice cooker
Use 2 to 2.5 cups of water for 2 cups of white rice. The easiest way is to rinse the rice, put it in the inner pot, level it, and fill with water to the line marked for the amount of rice you are cooking. The lines on the pot were set by the manufacturer for that cooker, so they are usually more accurate than a ratio.
If your cooker came with a plastic measuring cup, it is usually 180 ml (about ¾ of a US cup), not a full US cup. Use the same cup for rice and the water lines will still be right.
How to cook 2 cups of rice on the stove
- Rinse 2 cups of rice in a fine-mesh strainer until the water runs mostly clear, then drain.
- Add the rice and 4 cups of water to a medium pot. Add a pinch of salt if you like.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then turn the heat to low and cover with a tight lid.
- Simmer for 18 to 20 minutes without lifting the lid, until the water is absorbed.
- Turn off the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork and serve.
If you rinse the rice very well and prefer firmer grains, use about 3½ cups of water instead of 4.
How to cook 2 cups of rice in a rice cooker
- Rinse the rice until the water runs mostly clear and drain it well.
- Put the rice in the inner pot and add 2 to 2.5 cups of water, or fill to the 2-cup line.
- Close the lid and press Cook (or the setting for your rice type).
- When it switches to Keep Warm, leave it closed for 10 minutes.
- Fluff and serve.
Not sure which cooker suits your household? See our guide to the best rice cookers and our guide to rice cooker sizes.
Other common amounts
- ½ cup of rice: 1 cup of water on the stove, or ½ to ⅝ cup in a rice cooker.
- 1 cup of rice: 2 cups of water on the stove, or 1 to 1¼ cups in a rice cooker.
- 2½ cups of rice: 5 cups of water on the stove, or 2½ to 3 cups in a rice cooker.
- 2 cups of cooked rice: that is about ⅔ cup of uncooked rice.
Frequently asked questions
Is it always 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water?
No. 1:2 works for plain long-grain white rice on the stove and for brown rice. Jasmine, basmati and sushi rice need less, and rice cookers need much less because little steam escapes.
How many people does 2 cups of rice feed?
About 6 to 8 people as a side dish, since 2 cups of uncooked rice yields about 6 cups cooked.
Do I need to rinse the rice?
Rinsing removes loose starch and gives separate, fluffier grains. It is recommended for most white rice, though some enriched rice should not be rinsed, so check the package.
Why is my rice mushy or hard?
Mushy rice usually means too much water or no rinsing. Hard or crunchy rice means too little water or too short a rest. Change the water by 2 to 4 tablespoons per cup of rice and try again.
Related guides
- Rice to water ratio chart (1/2 to 5 cups)
- How much water for 1 cup of rice
- How to cook white rice
- How to cook brown rice in a rice cooker
- Rice cooker FAQs
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