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🔄 Brewing Unit Converter

Convert between common brewing measurements

Quickly convert between different units used in homebrewing. Select a conversion type and enter your value to get instant results.

📊 Select Conversion Type

Common Brewing Temperatures:

  • Mash: 148-158°F (64-70°C)
  • Sparge: 168-170°F (76-77°C)
  • Ale Fermentation: 60-72°F (16-22°C)
  • Lager Fermentation: 45-55°F (7-13°C)
  • Serving Temperature: 38-55°F (3-13°C)
e.g., 1.050
Degrees Plato
For refractometer
e.g., 50 for 1.050

Note: SG to Brix assumes pre-fermentation wort. Post-fermentation requires correction due to alcohol.

Pounds per square inch
Kilopascals

Typical Carbonation Levels:

  • Low (British ales): 5-8 PSI
  • Medium (American ales): 10-14 PSI
  • High (Lagers, wheat): 12-16 PSI
  • Very High (Belgians): 15-20 PSI
Percentage %
Percentage %

Conversion: ABW = ABV × 0.79 (alcohol is less dense than water)

Most countries use ABV for labeling. ABW is occasionally used in some US states.

⚡ Quick Reference

Common Conversions

  • 1 gallon = 3.785 liters
  • 1 pound = 453.6 grams
  • 1 ounce = 28.35 grams
  • 1 barrel = 31 gallons

Temperature

  • °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
  • °C = (°F - 32) × 5/9
  • Water boils: 212°F / 100°C
  • Water freezes: 32°F / 0°C

Gravity

  • °P ≈ SG points ÷ 4
  • 1.050 SG ≈ 12.4°P
  • Brix ≈ Plato (pre-fermentation)
  • Points = (SG - 1) × 1000

Pressure

  • 1 PSI = 0.0689 bar
  • 1 bar = 14.5 PSI
  • 1 bar = 100 kPa
  • Typical kegging: 10-15 PSI

📚 Understanding Brewing Units

Volume Measurements

Homebrewers typically use gallons (US) or liters. Recipe scaling often requires converting between these units. Remember that UK gallons differ from US gallons (1 UK gallon = 1.2 US gallons).

Weight Measurements

Grain bills use pounds and ounces (imperial) or kilograms and grams (metric). Hops are typically measured in ounces or grams. Digital scales make metric measurements easier and more precise.

Temperature

Temperature control is critical in brewing. Mash temperature affects fermentability, while fermentation temperature impacts flavor profile. Most US recipes use Fahrenheit, while international recipes use Celsius.

Gravity Measurements

Specific Gravity (SG) measures wort density compared to water. Plato and Brix measure sugar content by weight percentage. Refractometers read in Brix, while hydrometers typically show SG.

Pressure for Carbonation

CO₂ pressure determines carbonation levels in kegged beer. The relationship between pressure, temperature, and dissolved CO₂ follows Henry's Law. Higher temperatures require higher pressure for the same carbonation level.

💡 Pro Tip: When converting recipes between metric and imperial, round to practical measurements. For example, 4.5 kg of grain can be rounded to 10 lbs for easier measurement.