Too little sugar = flat beer. Too much = over-carbonated bottles (or worse, bottle bombs). This calculator gives you the exact amount based on your batch size and desired carbonation level.
🫧 Calculate Priming Sugar
°F
Temperature affects residual CO2 - colder beer has more dissolved CO2
For holiday ale, 2.3-2.5 volumes is ideal
📊 Results
Add this much corn sugar:
0.55 oz
(15.5 grams)
Target CO2 Volume:
2.3 volumes
Residual CO2:
0.85 volumes
CO2 to Add:
1.45 volumes
How to Prime Your Beer
- Measure your sugar precisely using a kitchen scale
- Dissolve sugar in 1/4 cup of boiling water
- Let the sugar solution cool to room temperature
- Add to your bottling bucket first, then rack beer on top
- Stir gently to distribute (don't splash - avoid oxygen!)
- Bottle as usual and store at room temp for 2+ weeks
⚠️ Safety Notes
- Never exceed 3.5 volumes for standard beer bottles
- Use only bottles designed for carbonated beverages - no twist-offs
- Make sure fermentation is complete before bottling (stable gravity for 2-3 days)
- Store bottles somewhere contained for the first week just in case
Sugar Type Comparison
| Type | Amount Needed | Notes |
|---|