Rice to water ratios
Different rice varieties absorb different amounts of water. Long-grain white and basmati rice typically use about 1½ cups of water per cup of rice on the stove; jasmine a little less; short-grain sushi rice less still for a sticky, tender texture; brown and wild rice much more because the bran layer slows absorption. Rice cookers lose very little steam, so many need slightly less water than stovetop recipes – the lines inside the pot are calibrated for the cooker's own cup.
| Rice | Water : rice (volume) | Cooked yield | Time in rice cooker |
|---|
| Long-grain white | 1.5 : 1 | ≈ 3× | 35 – 40 min |
| Jasmine | 1.25 : 1 | ≈ 3× | 35 – 40 min |
| Basmati | 1.5 : 1 | ≈ 3× | 35 – 40 min |
| Sushi / short-grain | 1.1 : 1 | ≈ 2.4× | 40 – 50 min |
| Brown | 2 : 1 | ≈ 3× | 60 – 90 min |
| Wild rice | 3 : 1 | ≈ 3.5× | 60 – 90 min |
| Quinoa | 1.75 : 1 | ≈ 3× | 25 – 35 min |
Rice-cooker cups vs US cups
The plastic cup that comes with a rice cooker holds 180 ml – about ¾ of a US cup. This traditional Japanese measure (one "gō") is why a "5.5-cup" rice cooker holds about 4 US cups of dry rice, enough for 8 – 12 cooked cups. Mixing up the cups is the most common reason rice comes out too wet or too dry.
Choosing a rice cooker size
| Size (rice-cooker cups, dry) | Cooked rice | Serves |
|---|
| 3-cup | up to ~6 cups | 1 – 3 people |
| 5.5-cup | up to ~10 cups | 3 – 6 people |
| 8-cup | up to ~16 cups | 6 – 10 people |
| 10-cup | up to ~20 cups | large families, parties |
Types of rice cookers
- Basic on/off cookers: inexpensive and reliable for white rice.
- Fuzzy logic (micro-computer) cookers: adjust temperature and time automatically, with settings for brown, sushi, porridge and mixed grains.
- Induction heating (IH) cookers: heat the whole pot evenly for the best texture.
- Pressure IH cookers: premium models that cook brown rice softer and faster.
- Useful extras: keep-warm and reheat modes, delay timer, steam basket, non-stick or ceramic inner pot.
Food safety with cooked rice
Raw rice can contain spores of Bacillus cereus that survive cooking. Don't leave cooked rice at room temperature for long: keep it hot on the warm setting for a limited time, or cool and refrigerate it within about an hour, and reheat until steaming hot.
Frequently asked questions
How much water for 2 cups of rice in a rice cooker?
For long-grain white rice, about 3 US cups of water for 2 US cups of rice – or fill to the '2' line when using the cooker's own cup.
Is a rice cooker cup the same as a cup?
No. A rice-cooker cup is 180 ml, about ¾ of a US cup (240 ml).
How much cooked rice does 1 cup of dry rice make?
About 3 cups of cooked white rice; short-grain rice yields a little less.
What size rice cooker for a family of four?
A 5.5-cup rice cooker is ideal for 3 – 6 people.
How much water for brown rice?
About 2 cups of water per cup of brown rice, using the brown rice setting if available.
About GrainCup
GrainCup is an independent, free calculator for cooking rice and grains in rice cookers and on the stove. Ratios are typical starting points; rice varieties and cookers vary, so adjust to taste. We are not affiliated with any appliance or rice brand.
Every formula on this page runs entirely in your web browser. The numbers you type are never uploaded, stored or shared. Our goal is simple: give you an honest starting point so you can compare product specifications with confidence and avoid paying for capacity you do not need – or buying something too small to do the job.
The methodology combines widely published engineering rules of thumb, manufacturer data sheets and the electrical code practices that installers use every day. We review the assumptions regularly and update the calculator when typical product specifications change.
Privacy Policy
Last updated: October 28, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how GrainCup ("we", "us") handles information when you visit this website. By using the site you agree to this policy.
Information we collect
We do not require registration and we do not ask for your name, address or payment details. Values entered into the calculator are processed locally in your browser and are not transmitted to our servers. Like most websites, our hosting provider may automatically record standard server log data such as IP address, browser type, referring page and time of visit for security and performance purposes.
Cookies and advertising
We use Google AdSense to show advertisements that keep this tool free. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to this website or other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to users based on their visit to this site and/or other sites on the Internet. You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings, or opt out of some third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalized advertising at www.aboutads.info (US) or www.youronlinechoices.eu (Europe). To learn more, see How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services.
Visitors from the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland are shown a consent message powered by a Google-certified consent management platform, where you can accept, reject or manage cookie choices. You can change your choices at any time from the privacy link displayed by that message. Some visitors may also be offered the option to view a short ad or complete another offer in exchange for access to the content; this choice is provided by Google and is entirely optional where alternatives are offered.
Analytics
We may use privacy-friendly, aggregated statistics to understand which features are used. These statistics do not identify you personally.
Your rights
Depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR or the CCPA/CPRA), you may have the right to access, correct or delete personal data and to object to certain processing. Because we do not keep personal data from the calculator, most requests can be handled by clearing cookies in your browser. For any other request, contact us at the address above.
Children
This site is intended for a general adult audience and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top of this section shows when it was last revised.
Terms of Use & Disclaimer
The calculator and articles on this website are provided free of charge for general information and educational purposes only. Results are estimates based on typical values and simplifying assumptions; real-world performance depends on the specific product, installation, climate, wiring and how you use your equipment.
Nothing on this site is professional engineering, electrical or financial advice. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and local electrical codes, and have permanent installations, transfer switches and grid-connected systems designed and installed by a licensed electrician or qualified installer. Never operate fuel-burning generators indoors or in enclosed spaces – carbon monoxide can kill within minutes.
The site is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law, GrainCup is not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of, or reliance on, the information or results provided. Product and brand names mentioned belong to their respective owners and are used for identification only. You may use the calculator for personal and commercial purposes, but you may not copy or republish the site content without permission.
GrainCup