DME
Dry malt extract is concentrated, so it gives the most gravity per pound.
Brewing · Calculator
Brewing Extract Calculator
Enter your dry and liquid malt extract, steeping grains, and batch volume to estimate original gravity and potential ABV before you brew.
Live calculator · updates as you type
Your extract batch
75%
Steeping grains are counted at reduced efficiency because they are steeped, not mashed. Attenuation sets the estimated final gravity, and therefore the potential ABV.
Estimated gravity
Original gravity (OG) 1.050
Potential ABV 5.0%
Estimated FG1.013
Gravity points50
Strength band Standard strength
What to do next
Brew this extract batch in 4 steps
For 5.0 gal.
Free printable
Keep this batch on one page
A batch card made from your numbers, to save as a PDF or receive by email:
- Your numbers in big type
- These steps with tick-boxes
- Brew, transfer and bottling dates
- A brew log for every reading
Extract OG by beer strength
| Style band | Typical OG | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Session / mild | 1.030–1.040 | Lower extract load, easy-drinking |
| Pale ale / amber | 1.044–1.056 | The everyday extract range |
| IPA / strong ale | 1.056–1.075 | More DME/LME per gallon |
| Imperial / barleywine | 1.075+ | Heavy extract, watch fermentability |
OG points ≈ (DME × 44 + LME × 36 + steeping grains × 34 × 0.35) ÷ batch gallons. Potential ABV assumes your yeast attenuates to the estimated final gravity.
Extract brewing guide
From malt extract to original gravity
Extract brewing skips the mash: the sugars are already in your DME or LME, so predicting original gravity is just adding up gravity points and dividing by your batch size. This is an extract OG calculator, so it works forward from ingredients to gravity, unlike an ABV calculator that works backward from measured readings.
OG points = (DME×44 + LME×36) ÷ gallons . Set your own numbers below.
Use these reference values to interpret your results
- 44 PPG
- 36 PPG
LME
Liquid malt extract still holds water, so it is a little lighter per pound.
- ~35%
Steeping grains
Steeped, not mashed, so they add mostly colour and flavour, little gravity.
Use the results in your next batch
Once fermentation is done, plug your measured original and final gravity into the ABV calculator for the real strength, or move up to the full beer recipe calculator when you want colour and a complete grain bill too.
FAQ
Extract brewing questions
Estimating original gravity and ABV from malt extract and steeping grains.
How do you calculate OG for an extract batch?
Add up the gravity points each fermentable contributes, then divide by the batch volume in gallons. Dry malt extract (DME) gives about 44 points per pound per gallon, liquid malt extract (LME) about 36, and steeping specialty grains roughly 34 at a low steeping efficiency. So OG points equal (DME x 44 + LME x 36 + grains x 34 x 0.35) divided by gallons, and OG is 1 plus those points over 1000.
What is the difference between DME and LME gravity?
Dry malt extract is more concentrated because the water has been removed, so it contributes more gravity per pound: about 44 points versus 36 for liquid malt extract. Roughly, 1 pound of DME is equivalent to about 1.2 pounds of LME. The calculator applies the correct points for each so you can mix them freely.
How much extract do I need for a 5-gallon batch?
For a standard 5-gallon ale around OG 1.050, plan on roughly 6 to 7 pounds of DME, or about 8 to 9 pounds of LME, before any steeping grains. Enter your target amounts in the calculator to see the resulting OG, then adjust up or down to hit the strength you want.
Do steeping grains add much gravity?
Not a lot. Steeping specialty grains such as crystal or chocolate malt are steeped rather than mashed, so they release only a fraction of their potential sugar, which is why the calculator applies a reduced steeping efficiency. They mainly contribute colour and flavour; the bulk of your gravity comes from the malt extract.
How do I turn OG into ABV?
Estimate the final gravity from your yeast attenuation, then use (OG minus FG) times 131.25. This calculator does both steps: set the expected attenuation and it reports the estimated final gravity and potential ABV. After fermentation, confirm the real ABV with the ABV calculator using your measured OG and FG.
Continue with the next calculator
Calculators and guides for your next step.
- Beer recipe calculator Calculator · Build a full grain bill with OG, FG, ABV, and colour.
- ABV calculator Calculator · Confirm actual ABV from measured OG and FG.
- Brix to specific gravity converter Calculator · Turn a refractometer reading into gravity.
- All brewing calculators Category · Every beer, wine, and cider tool in one place.
