Rice to Water Ratio Chart: 1/2 to 5 Cups (White, Jasmine, Basmati, Sushi, Brown)
Quick answer: For long-grain white rice use 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water on the stove, or 1 to 1¼ cups of water per cup of rice in a rice cooker. Jasmine and basmati need about 1½ cups on the stove, sushi rice about 1¼, and brown rice 2 to 2½. The chart below gives the water for any amount from ½ to 5 cups.
Last updated: November 1, 2026
Rice to water ratios at a glance
| Rice type | Stove (rice : water) | Rice cooker (rice : water) |
|---|---|---|
| White (long-grain) | 1 : 2 | 1 : 1 to 1 : 1.25 |
| Jasmine | 1 : 1.5 | 1 : 1 to 1 : 1.25 |
| Basmati | 1 : 1.5 | 1 : 1.25 to 1 : 1.5 |
| Sushi / short-grain | 1 : 1.25 | 1 : 1 to 1 : 1.1 |
| Brown | 1 : 2 to 1 : 2.5 | 1 : 1.75 to 1 : 2 |
Water chart for the stove (cups of water)
| Dry rice | White | Jasmine | Basmati | Sushi | Brown | Cooked rice (about) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½ cup | 1 | ¾ | ¾ | ⅝ | 1 to 1¼ | 1½ |
| 1 cup | 2 | 1½ | 1½ | 1¼ | 2 to 2½ | 3 |
| 1½ cups | 3 | 2¼ | 2¼ | 1⅞ | 3 to 3¾ | 4½ |
| 2 cups | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2½ | 4 to 5 | 6 |
| 2½ cups | 5 | 3¾ | 3¾ | 3⅛ | 5 to 6¼ | 7½ |
| 3 cups | 6 | 4½ | 4½ | 3¾ | 6 to 7½ | 9 |
| 4 cups | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 8 to 10 | 12 |
| 5 cups | 10 | 7½ | 7½ | 6¼ | 10 to 12½ | 15 |
Water chart for a rice cooker (cups of water)
| Dry rice | White | Jasmine | Basmati | Sushi | Brown | Cooked rice (about) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½ cup | ½ to ⅝ | ½ to ⅝ | ⅝ to ¾ | ½ | ⅞ to 1 | 1½ |
| 1 cup | 1 to 1¼ | 1 to 1¼ | 1¼ to 1½ | 1 to 1⅛ | 1¾ to 2 | 3 |
| 1½ cups | 1½ to 1⅞ | 1½ to 1⅞ | 1⅞ to 2¼ | 1½ to 1⅝ | 2⅝ to 3 | 4½ |
| 2 cups | 2 to 2½ | 2 to 2½ | 2½ to 3 | 2 to 2¼ | 3½ to 4 | 6 |
| 2½ cups | 2½ to 3⅛ | 2½ to 3⅛ | 3⅛ to 3¾ | 2½ to 2¾ | 4⅜ to 5 | 7½ |
| 3 cups | 3 to 3¾ | 3 to 3¾ | 3¾ to 4½ | 3 to 3¼ | 5¼ to 6 | 9 |
| 4 cups | 4 to 5 | 4 to 5 | 5 to 6 | 4 to 4⅜ | 7 to 8 | 12 |
| 5 cups | 5 to 6¼ | 5 to 6¼ | 6¼ to 7½ | 5 to 5½ | 8¾ to 10 | 15 |
Use the same cup for the rice and the water. The cup that comes with a rice cooker is usually 180 ml (about ¾ of a US cup), so use it for both and follow the water lines in the pot where there are any. Cooked yield is roughly three times the dry amount in US cups.
How to use the chart
- Pick your rice type and cooking method.
- Measure the dry rice, then rinse it until the water runs mostly clear.
- Add the amount of water from the chart.
- Cook, then rest the rice covered for 5 to 10 minutes before fluffing.
These are starting points. If rice comes out too firm, add 2 to 4 tablespoons of water per cup next time, and use a little less if it is mushy. Brands, rice age and cookers vary.
Guides for specific amounts
- How much water for 1 cup of rice
- How much water for 2 cups of rice
- How to cook white rice
- How to cook brown rice in a rice cooker
- How to cook jasmine rice
Frequently asked questions
What is the water to rice ratio for a rice cooker?
About 1 to 1¼ cups of water per cup of white rice. Always check the water lines in the pot.
How much water for 3 cups of rice?
On the stove, 6 cups of water for white rice. In a rice cooker, 3 to 3¾ cups.
Why does a rice cooker need less water than a pot?
A rice cooker is sealed and loses much less steam, so less water is needed.
Does rice amount change cooking time?
Slightly. Larger batches take a little longer, but the water ratio stays the same.
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