Alc Vol Calculator

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Alcohol Volume (ABV) Calculator
Calculate Pure Alcohol ContentCalculate ABV from Gravity (Brewing)
ml
%
Results:
Enter values to see results.
function toggleInputs(){var type=document.getElementById('calc_type').value;var l1=document.getElementById('label1');var l2=document.getElementById('label2');var u1=document.getElementById('unit1');var u2=document.getElementById('unit2′);if(type==='pure_alc'){l1.innerHTML='Total Beverage Volume:';l2.innerHTML='Alcohol by Volume (ABV):';u1.innerHTML='ml';u2.innerHTML='%';}else{l1.innerHTML='Original Gravity (OG):';l2.innerHTML='Final Gravity (FG):';u1.innerHTML='SG';u2.innerHTML='SG';}}function calculateAlc(){var type=document.getElementById('calc_type').value;var v1=parseFloat(document.getElementById('input1').value);var v2=parseFloat(document.getElementById('input2').value);var steps=document.getElementById('show_steps').checked;var ans=document.getElementById('answer');if(isNaN(v1)||isNaN(v2)){ans.innerHTML='Please enter valid numeric values.';return;}var resultText=";if(type==='pure_alc'){var pureAlc=(v1*(v2/100));resultText='
Pure Alcohol: '+pureAlc.toFixed(2)+' ml
';if(steps){resultText+='
Steps:
1. Formula: Pure Alcohol = Total Volume × (ABV / 100)
2. Substitution: '+v1+' × ('+v2+' / 100)
3. '+v1+' × '+(v2/100).toFixed(4)+'
4. Result = '+pureAlc.toFixed(2)+' ml
';}}else{var abv=(v1-v2)*131.25;resultText='
Estimated ABV: '+abv.toFixed(2)+'%
';if(steps){resultText+='
Steps:
1. Formula: ABV = (OG – FG) × 131.25
2. Substitution: ('+v1+' – '+v2+') × 131.25
3. '+ (v1-v2).toFixed(4) +' × 131.25
4. Result = '+abv.toFixed(2)+'%
';}}ans.innerHTML=resultText;}

Calculator Use

The alc vol calculator is a versatile tool designed for both consumers and homebrewers. Whether you want to know exactly how much pure ethanol is in your cocktail or you are checking the strength of your latest homebrewed IPA, this tool provides precise calculations based on industry-standard formulas.

You can choose between two main modes:

  • Pure Alcohol Content: Calculates the volume of absolute alcohol in a specific drink size.
  • Brewing ABV (Gravity): Determines the alcohol percentage based on the density change of liquid during fermentation.

How It Works

When using the alc vol calculator, it is important to understand the math behind the liquid in your glass. Alcohol by Volume (ABV) represents the percentage of the total volume that is pure ethanol.

Pure Alcohol Formula

Pure Alcohol Volume = Total Beverage Volume × (ABV % / 100)

Homebrewing ABV Formula

For brewers, alcohol is created when yeast consumes sugar. By measuring the density (Specific Gravity) before and after fermentation, we can calculate the alcohol produced:

ABV = (Original Gravity – Final Gravity) × 131.25

Calculation Examples

Example 1: Standard Beer (Pure Alcohol)

Imagine you have a 500ml bottle of craft beer with an ABV of 6.5%. To find the total alcohol:

  1. Total Volume = 500 ml
  2. ABV = 6.5%
  3. Calculation: 500 × (6.5 / 100) = 500 × 0.065
  4. Result = 32.5 ml of pure alcohol.

Example 2: Homebrewed Cider (Brewing)

A brewer measures a starting gravity (OG) of 1.055 and a final gravity (FG) of 1.005.

  1. OG = 1.055
  2. FG = 1.005
  3. Calculation: (1.055 – 1.005) × 131.25 = 0.050 × 131.25
  4. Result = 6.56% ABV.

Common Questions

What is a "Standard Drink"?

In the United States, a "standard drink" contains roughly 14 grams (about 17.7 ml) of pure alcohol. This typically equates to 12 ounces of 5% beer, 5 ounces of 12% wine, or 1.5 ounces of 40% (80 proof) spirits. Using an alc vol calculator helps you realize that a high-ABV craft beer might actually be equivalent to two standard drinks.

What is Proof vs ABV?

In the US, "Proof" is simply double the ABV. For example, a bottle labeled as 80 Proof is 40% ABV. In the UK, the proof system was historically different but most countries have now standardized on the Alcohol by Volume (ABV) metric for clarity.

Why does Specific Gravity change?

Sugar is denser than water. When yeast converts sugar into ethanol (which is less dense than water), the specific gravity of the liquid drops. This difference allows the alc vol calculator to estimate the percentage of alcohol created during the fermentation process.

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