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ABV Calculator

Calculate the alcohol by volume (ABV) of your homebrewed beer, mead, wine, or cider using original gravity (OG) and final gravity (FG) readings. This calculator also estimates apparent attenuation and calories per 12 oz serving so you can dial in your recipe.

Pre-fermentation reading (e.g. 1.055)
Post-fermentation reading (e.g. 1.012)

Results

Alcohol by Volume
%
Apparent Attenuation
%
Calories / 12 oz
kcal
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Standard vs. Alternate formula — which should I use?

The Standard formula — ABV = (OG − FG) × 131.25 — is fast and accurate for typical beers under about 1.070 OG. Most homebrewers use this one.

The Alternate formula — ABV = (76.08 × (OG − FG) / (1.775 − OG)) × (FG / 0.794) — accounts for the non-linear behavior of high-gravity worts. Use it for imperial stouts, barleywines, and anything over 1.070 OG for a more accurate reading.

Attenuation is the percentage of sugars your yeast consumed: (OG − FG) / (OG − 1). Calories are estimated using Gallagher's formula: (((6.9 × ABW) + 4.0 × (RE − 0.1)) × FG × 3.55).

How to use this ABV calculator

Take a hydrometer reading of your wort before pitching yeast (the OG) and another reading after fermentation is complete (the FG). Enter both values above. If your hydrometer reads in degrees Plato, switch the unit toggle — the calculator will convert internally to specific gravity for the math.

Beer styleTypical OGTypical FGTypical ABV
American Light Lager1.028–1.0400.998–1.0082.8–4.2%
American Pale Ale1.045–1.0601.010–1.0154.5–6.2%
IPA1.056–1.0701.008–1.0145.5–7.5%
Stout (Dry Irish)1.036–1.0501.007–1.0114.0–4.5%
Imperial Stout1.075–1.1151.018–1.0308.0–12.0%
Barleywine1.080–1.1201.016–1.0308.0–12.0%
Belgian Tripel1.075–1.0851.008–1.0147.5–9.5%