Dry Rice Needed: The amount of uncooked rice in cups. Each serving assumes ½ cup dry, which yields roughly 1–1½ cups cooked — a typical side-dish portion.
Water Needed: The water amount in both cups and quarts, based on the standard water-to-rice ratio for the selected variety. Brown and wild rice need more water than white or jasmine.
Cooking Time: Approximate stovetop simmer time after bringing the water to a boil. Actual time may vary by altitude, pot size, and stove heat.
Method Notes: Quick tips specific to the rice type, such as rinsing, soaking, or seasoning steps that affect the final texture.
How This Calculator Works
You select a rice type and enter the number of servings. The tool multiplies servings by ½ cup per person to get the dry rice amount, then applies the variety-specific water ratio. Cooking times and method notes come from a built-in lookup table covering six common rice types. It assumes standard stovetop cooking — rice cooker and Instant Pot times may differ.
Quick Questions
How much does rice expand when cooked?
Most white rice roughly triples in volume when cooked. Brown rice roughly doubles to triples. Wild rice can expand up to four times its dry volume.
Should I rinse rice before cooking?
Rinsing removes surface starch and gives fluffier, less sticky results. It's especially important for basmati and jasmine rice. Sushi rice is rinsed until the water runs clear, then seasoned after cooking.
Can I use this for a rice cooker?
The rice and water amounts work for a rice cooker too. Most rice cookers handle timing automatically, so the cook-time field is less relevant — just follow your cooker's instructions.
What if I want rice as a main dish?
For a main-dish serving (like a rice bowl), plan for ¾ to 1 cup dry per person instead of the ½-cup side-dish amount. Simply increase the number of servings accordingly.