Rice to water ratio chart
For long grain white rice the ratio is 2 to 1: two cups of water for each cup of rice. Shorter grains need less water and brown rice needs more. These are the ratios and simmering times in the rice cooking chart published by USA Rice.
| Rice | Water for 1 cup of rice | Simmer, covered |
|---|---|---|
| White rice, long grain | 2 cups | 15 to 18 minutes |
| Jasmine rice | 2 cups | 15 to 18 minutes |
| Basmati rice | 2 cups | 15 to 18 minutes |
| White rice, medium grain | 1 ½ cups | 15 to 18 minutes |
| White rice, short grain | 1 ¼ cups | 15 to 18 minutes |
| Brown rice | 2 ¼ cups | 40 to 45 minutes |
| Parboiled rice | 2 ¼ cups | 20 minutes |
| Wild rice | 3 cups | 40 to 50 minutes |
| Arborio rice | 4 cups | 20 to 30 minutes |
The ratio is by volume, so any cup, mug or glass works as long as you measure the rice and the water with the same one.
How much water for 2 cups of rice
| Dry rice | Water, white long grain | Water, brown | Cooked rice |
|---|---|---|---|
| ½ cup | 1 cup | 1 ⅛ cups | about 1 ½ cups |
| 1 cup | 2 cups | 2 ¼ cups | about 3 cups |
| 1 ½ cups | 3 cups | 3 ⅜ cups | about 4 ½ cups |
| 2 cups | 4 cups | 4 ½ cups | about 6 cups |
| 3 cups | 6 cups | 6 ¾ cups | about 9 cups |
| 4 cups | 8 cups | 9 cups | about 12 cups |
One cup of dry rice makes about three cups cooked.
How to cook rice on the stove
Bring the water to a boil with the rice and a pinch of salt, and stir once.
Cover the pot, turn the heat to low and simmer for the time in the chart without lifting the lid.
If the rice is not tender when the time is up, cover it again and give it two to four more minutes.
Fluff it with a fork before serving.
Rice cookers and pressure cookers
A rice cooker switches itself off when the rice has absorbed the water, so there is no time to set. Use the water marks inside its bowl, which are made for its own cup.
A pressure cooker needs much less time. Instant Pot’s cooking time table lists 4 minutes for white, jasmine and basmati rice and 20 minutes for brown and wild rice. It gives no water ratio, so follow the manual of your model.
Rice from another country
USA Rice’s chart is for rice grown in the United States. Imported jasmine and basmati rice often ask for a little less water on the bag. When the bag gives a ratio, use it.
