QUICK ANSWER
Long-grain white rice: 1 cup rice to 2 cups water. Jasmine and basmati: 1 to 1½. Brown rice: 1 to 2¼. For 3 cups of white rice, use 6 cups of water (4½ cups for jasmine or basmati). One cup of dry rice makes about 3 cups cooked.
Rice water calculator.
Water ratio by type of rice.
| Rice | Water per 1 cup rice | Simmer time | Cooked yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-grain white | 1¾–2 cups | 18 min | about 3 cups |
| Jasmine | 1¼–1½ cups | 15 min | about 3 cups |
| Basmati | 1½–1¾ cups | 15 min | about 3 cups |
| Short-grain / sushi | 1.1–1¼ cups | 15–18 min | about 2½ cups |
| Brown long-grain | 2–2½ cups | 40–45 min | about 3 cups |
| Parboiled (converted) | 2¼–2½ cups | 20 min | about 3½ cups |
| Wild rice | 3–4 cups | 45–55 min | about 3½ cups |
| Quinoa | 1¾–2 cups | 15 min | about 3 cups |
Ratios are starting points for stovetop absorption cooking in a covered pot. Rinsed rice, a wide pan or a loose lid each change the result a little: if rice is still firm when the water is gone, add 2 tablespoons of water and steam 5 minutes more. Rice cookers use less water than the stove — follow the lines in the pot.
How much water for 1 to 6 cups of rice.
| Dry rice | Long-grain white | Jasmine / basmati | Brown | Cooked white yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 2 cups | 1½ cups | 2¼ cups | about 3 cups |
| 1½ cups | 3 cups | 2¼ cups | 3½ cups | about 4½ cups |
| 2 cups | 4 cups | 3 cups | 4½ cups | about 6 cups |
| 3 cups | 6 cups | 4½ cups | 6¾ cups | about 9 cups |
| 4 cups | 8 cups | 6 cups | 9 cups | about 12 cups |
| 5 cups | 10 cups | 7½ cups | 11¼ cups | about 15 cups |
| 6 cups | 12 cups | 9 cups | 13½ cups | about 18 cups |
The stovetop method.
- Rinse the rice in a strainer until the water runs mostly clear (skip for parboiled and enriched rice if the package says so).
- Combine rice, the measured water and a pinch of salt in a saucepan with a tight lid. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer covered on the lowest heat for the time in the chart. Do not lift the lid.
- Rest off the heat, still covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Common questions.
How much water for 3 cups of rice?
6 cups of water for long-grain white rice, 4½ cups for jasmine or basmati, and about 6¾ cups for brown rice. Use a large saucepan so the rice cooks in an even layer.
How much water for 1 cup of rice?
2 cups for long-grain white, 1½ cups for jasmine or basmati, 2¼ cups for brown rice. It makes about 3 cups cooked — enough for 3–4 side servings.
How much water for 2 cups of rice?
4 cups for long-grain white, 3 cups for jasmine or basmati, 4½ cups for brown.
How much water for 4 cups of rice?
8 cups for long-grain white, 6 cups for jasmine or basmati, 9 cups for brown.
Is the ratio different in a rice cooker?
Yes: rice cookers lose less steam, so white rice usually needs closer to 1 to 1¼. Use the water lines marked inside the cooker bowl.
How much rice per person?
About ½ cup of dry rice per person as a main, ⅓ cup as a side.
Rice, planned.
MealPot scales every recipe to your household, so the rice and the water are already worked out.