# Carbonation

The Carbonation calculator helps you achieve the perfect level of carbonation in your beer, whether you're bottle conditioning with priming sugar or force carbonating in a keg.

![Calculate sugar amount when carbonating with sugar](https://771697612-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LEzhWP2LGeXaKgS2qr4%2F-LFS-A0LtQZ1xlcdEdIM%2F-LFS-rXxbPgfaD4-_Fzb%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=edfcf2b7-b541-4636-a261-204b2ef55ec9)

![Calculate carbonation pressure when force carbonating](https://771697612-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LEzhWP2LGeXaKgS2qr4%2F-LFS-A0LtQZ1xlcdEdIM%2F-LFS-ztYzar37dQwQQ1o%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=5d989c41-a207-43d0-9c5b-a40d75141f62)

## Carbonation Types

The tool supports three carbonation methods:

* **Sugar (Bottle/Bucket Conditioning)** — Carbonating by adding priming sugar to bottles or a bottling bucket
* **Keg (Force)** — Force carbonating with CO2 in a keg
* **Keg (Sugar)** — Keg conditioning with priming sugar added to the keg

## Beer Style Selector

The tool includes a beer style selector that shows the recommended carbonation range for your chosen style. This helps you target the appropriate CO2 volumes for the style you are brewing.

## How to Use

### Common Inputs

| Input           | Description                                                                            |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Beer Style**  | Select a beer style to see its recommended carbonation range                           |
| **Carbonation** | Your target carbonation level in volumes of CO2 (or g/L CO2 if configured in settings) |
| **Type**        | Choose between Sugar, Keg (Force), or Keg (Sugar)                                      |

### For Sugar or Keg (Sugar)

These additional inputs appear when the type is set to Sugar or Keg (Sugar):

| Input                      | Description                                                                                |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Bottling Volume**        | The total volume of beer to be carbonated                                                  |
| **Peak Fermentation Temp** | The highest temperature that occurred during fermentation (used to calculate residual CO2) |

The tool simultaneously displays the required amounts for three sugar types:

* **Table sugar** (sucrose) -- the primary result
* **Corn sugar** (dextrose) -- shown as an alternative
* **DME** (dry malt extract) -- shown as an alternative

There is no sugar type picker. All three equivalents are shown at once so you can use whichever priming sugar you have on hand. The result also shows the existing CO2 volume from fermentation.

### For Force Carbonation

This additional input appears when the type is set to Keg (Force):

| Input                | Description                                                                                       |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Carbonation Temp** | The temperature of your keg/beer during carbonation (colder temperatures absorb CO2 more readily) |

The tool displays:

* The required **CO2 pressure** (in PSI or bar, depending on your settings)
* The **carbonation temperature**
* An approximate **time estimate of 1 week** to reach the target carbonation

## CO2 Volumes by Beer Style

### Low Carbonation (1.5-2.2 volumes)

* British Cask Ales: 1.5-1.8
* British Milds: 1.6-2.0
* Barleywines: 1.8-2.2

### Medium Carbonation (2.2-2.6 volumes)

* American Ales: 2.2-2.5
* Porters/Stouts: 2.2-2.4
* IPAs: 2.3-2.5
* Brown Ales: 2.3-2.5

### Medium-High Carbonation (2.6-3.0 volumes)

* American Lagers: 2.6-2.8
* Pilsners: 2.6-2.8
* Belgian Ales: 2.6-3.0

### High Carbonation (3.0-4.0+ volumes)

* Wheat Beers: 3.0-3.5
* Belgian Tripels: 3.0-3.5
* Lambics: 3.0-4.0
* Champagne-style: 4.0+

## Force Carbonation Methods

### Set and Forget

* Set pressure according to calculator
* Wait 7-14 days for full carbonation

### Burst Carbonation

* Set 2.0-2.8 bar (30-40 PSI) for 24-48 hours
* Reduce to serving pressure

## Priming Sugar Preparation

1. Boil water (about 500ml per 19 liters)
2. Dissolve calculated sugar amount
3. Cool to room temperature
4. Add to bottling bucket before racking
5. Gently stir to distribute evenly

## Tips for Success

### Bottle Conditioning

* Store bottles at 18-24°C (65-75°F) for carbonation
* Allow 2-3 weeks for full carbonation
* Ensure even sugar distribution

### Force Carbonation

* Keep consistent temperature
* Ensure keg seals are tight

## Troubleshooting

### Under-carbonated

* Check priming sugar amount
* Verify fermentation temperature
* Check for leaks

### Over-carbonated

* Reduce priming sugar
* Check for residual fermentables

## Safety Notes

* Use bottles rated for carbonated beverages
* Don't exceed 3.5 volumes CO2 in standard bottles
* Over-priming can cause bottle explosions

## Using with Your Recipes

* Reference style guidelines for appropriate CO2 volumes
* The tool remembers your last used settings
* Use calculated values when planning your carbonation method
* Track your preferred carbonation levels for different styles

## Related docs

* [Brewing Knowledge: Packaging and Carbonation](https://docs.brewfather.app/brewing-knowledge/packaging-and-carbonation)
* [Pressure Conversion](https://docs.brewfather.app/tools/pressure-conversion)