How Much Water for 1 Cup of Rice? (Stove and Rice Cooker)
Quick answer: For 1 cup of long-grain white rice use 2 cups of water on the stove or 1 to 1¼ cups in a rice cooker. One cup of dry rice makes about 3 cups cooked, enough for 2 to 3 side servings.
Last updated: November 1, 2026
Water for 1 cup of rice, by type
| Rice type | Stove | Rice cooker |
|---|---|---|
| White (long-grain) | 2 cups | 1 to 1¼ cups |
| Jasmine | 1½ cups | 1 to 1¼ cups |
| Basmati | 1½ cups | 1¼ to 1½ cups |
| Sushi / short-grain | 1¼ cups | 1 to 1⅛ cups |
| Brown | 2 to 2½ cups | 1¾ to 2 cups |
How to cook 1 cup of white rice on the stove
- Rinse 1 cup of rice in a fine strainer until the water is mostly clear.
- Add the rice, 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt to a small pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to low, cover and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and rest, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork.
How to cook 1 cup of rice in a rice cooker
- Rinse the rice and drain it.
- Add 1 to 1¼ cups of water, or fill to the 1-cup line.
- Press Cook.
- When it switches to Keep Warm, rest for 10 minutes, then fluff.
1 cup is below the minimum for some large cookers, so a small cooker works better. See what size you need and our best mini rice cookers.
1 cup of rice: how much does it make?
About 3 cups cooked, enough for 2 to 3 side servings. For other amounts use our rice to water ratio chart.
Frequently asked questions
Is it 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water?
That is right for long-grain white rice on the stove. In a rice cooker use about 1 to 1¼ cups, and other rice types need different amounts.
How much water for 1 cup of basmati rice?
About 1½ cups on the stove, or 1¼ to 1½ cups in a rice cooker.
How long does 1 cup of rice take?
About 18 to 20 minutes on the stove plus resting, or 20 to 40 minutes in a rice cooker.
Do I rinse 1 cup of rice?
Yes. Rinsing removes loose starch and gives fluffier rice.
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