An ABV calculator determines the alcohol content of your homebrew by comparing the gravity of your wort before and after fermentation. By entering your Original Gravity (OG) and Final Gravity (FG) readings from a hydrometer or refractometer, you can instantly calculate the alcohol by volume percentage, apparent attenuation, and estimated calories per serving.
Gravity Readings
Before fermentation (1.000 - 1.200)
After fermentation (0.990 - 1.100)
Common Beer Styles — OG / FG Reference
| Style | OG Range | FG Range | ABV Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Lager | 1.028 - 1.040 | 0.998 - 1.008 | 2.8 - 4.2% |
| Wheat Beer | 1.044 - 1.052 | 1.008 - 1.014 | 4.3 - 5.6% |
| Pale Ale | 1.044 - 1.060 | 1.008 - 1.014 | 4.4 - 6.2% |
| IPA | 1.056 - 1.075 | 1.008 - 1.016 | 5.5 - 7.5% |
| Amber / Red Ale | 1.045 - 1.060 | 1.010 - 1.015 | 4.5 - 6.0% |
| Brown Ale | 1.040 - 1.052 | 1.008 - 1.013 | 4.2 - 5.4% |
| Porter | 1.040 - 1.058 | 1.008 - 1.016 | 4.0 - 5.5% |
| Stout | 1.036 - 1.056 | 1.008 - 1.016 | 4.0 - 5.5% |
| Belgian Tripel | 1.075 - 1.085 | 1.008 - 1.014 | 7.5 - 9.5% |
| Imperial Stout | 1.075 - 1.115 | 1.012 - 1.024 | 8.0 - 12.0% |
| Barleywine | 1.080 - 1.120 | 1.016 - 1.030 | 8.0 - 12.0% |
How to Use the ABV Calculator
Knowing the alcohol content of your homebrew is essential for recipe development, legal labelling, and responsible enjoyment. This free ABV calculator takes your hydrometer or refractometer gravity readings and instantly returns the alcohol by volume, apparent attenuation, and estimated calories so you can evaluate your brew without any manual maths.
Step 1: Take your gravity readings
Use a hydrometer or refractometer to measure the Original Gravity (OG) of your wort before pitching yeast and the Final Gravity (FG) once fermentation is complete. OG values typically range from 1.030 for a light session beer up to 1.120 for a barleywine. FG usually falls between 0.998 and 1.020, depending on yeast attenuation and residual sugars.
Step 2: Enter values and calculate
Type your OG and FG into the input fields and click Calculate ABV. The calculator runs two formulas side by side: the simple formula (OG - FG) × 131.25, which is a quick approximation, and an advanced formula that is more accurate for stronger beers above 6% ABV. Both results are displayed so you can compare.
Step 3: Use temperature correction (optional)
Hydrometers are calibrated at a specific temperature, often 60 °F or 68 °F. If you took your reading at a different temperature, enable the temperature correction toggle and enter both the sample temperature and your hydrometer's calibration temperature. The calculator adjusts the gravity values before computing ABV, giving you a more precise result.
Step 4: Review your results
In addition to ABV, the results panel shows apparent attenuation (how efficiently the yeast consumed sugars), estimated calories per 12 oz serving, and the gravity values converted to degrees Plato. A style suggestion helps you see where your beer falls among common styles.
Step 5: Use the reference table
Scroll down to the OG/FG reference table for common beer styles. This is useful when planning a new recipe: pick a target style, note the typical gravity range, and use those values as your starting point for grain bill calculations. Compare your finished beer's numbers against the style guidelines to see how close you landed.
All calculations happen instantly in your browser. No data leaves your device, and you can bookmark this page to use the ABV calculator anytime you brew.