Use this calculator to determine the Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of your beer, wine, or mead using specific gravity readings taken before and after fermentation.

Example: 1.055 (typical pale ale)
Example: 1.012 (fully fermented)

📚 How It Works

Formula: ABV = (OG - FG) × 131.25

This calculator uses the standard brewing formula to calculate alcohol by volume based on the difference between your original gravity (before fermentation) and final gravity (after fermentation). The formula assumes complete fermentation and accounts for the density of ethanol.

Common ABV Ranges:

  • 3-4%: Session beers, light lagers
  • 4-6%: Pale ales, pilsners, wheat beers
  • 6-8%: IPAs, amber ales, porters
  • 8-12%: Imperial stouts, barleywines, strong ales
  • 12%+: Imperial/double IPAs, Belgian strong ales

Tips for Accurate Measurements:

  • Take gravity readings at the same temperature (ideally 60°F/15°C)
  • Sanitize your hydrometer before each reading
  • Wait until fermentation is complete (stable readings for 2-3 days)
  • Final gravity should be significantly lower than original gravity
  • Account for temperature corrections if using a hydrometer
  • Refractometers need wort correction formulas for post-fermentation readings

Understanding Attenuation:

Attenuation measures how much of the available sugars were consumed by yeast during fermentation. Higher attenuation means a drier, less sweet beer with more alcohol. Typical attenuation ranges from 65-80%, though some yeast strains and beer styles may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is ABV?

ABV stands for Alcohol By Volume, the standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage. It's expressed as a percentage of the total volume.

How do I measure original and final gravity?

Use a hydrometer or refractometer to measure the specific gravity of your beer, wine, or mead. Take the original gravity reading before fermentation begins, and the final gravity reading after fermentation is complete (when readings are stable for 2-3 days).

Why is my final gravity higher than expected?

High final gravity can indicate incomplete fermentation. Common causes include insufficient yeast pitch rate, low fermentation temperature, old or dead yeast, insufficient oxygen at pitch, or beer style characteristics requiring higher finishing gravity.

What's a normal ABV range for beer?

Session beers range from 3-4% ABV, standard ales and lagers are 4-6% ABV, IPAs and stronger ales are 6-8% ABV, and imperial/barleywine styles can reach 8-12% or higher.

Can I use this calculator for wine or mead?

Yes! The ABV calculation formula works for any fermented beverage including wine (typically 10-14% ABV) and mead (8-18% ABV). Just ensure you're measuring specific gravity correctly with a hydrometer or refractometer.