Brix <-> Gravity

BrewCo Brew Tools

Convert between Brix and specific gravity — handy when your refractometer reads in Brix but your recipe is written in gravity, or vice versa.

How to use it

  1. Choose the direction you need to convert.
  2. Enter your reading.
  3. Read off the converted value instantly.
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Brix and specific gravity explained

What it does: this tool converts Brix, the scale most refractometers use, into specific gravity, the scale most UK recipes and hydrometers use, and back again.

How to use it: choose a direction, then type in your reading. The answer updates as you type.

The formula in plain words: Brix is the percentage of sugar by weight in a solution. As a rough rule, 1°Brix is about 4 gravity points. The tool uses a more accurate standard formula, because the relationship isn't quite straight.

Worked example: a refractometer reading of 12°Bx converts to a gravity of about 1.048. Going the other way, an OG of 1.050 is about 12.4°Bx.

Important: this conversion is only valid before fermentation. Once there is alcohol in the sample, a refractometer reads too high. For a final reading, use the refractometer alcohol correction calculator instead.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brix?
Brix measures the sugar content of a liquid as a percentage by weight. Winemakers and fruit growers use it a lot, and most refractometers have a Brix scale.
Can I use this for my final gravity?
Not with a refractometer reading. Alcohol skews refractometer readings, so use the refractometer alcohol correction calculator for anything that has started fermenting.
Is 1°Brix exactly 4 gravity points?
Not exactly, but it is close at normal brewing gravities. The tool uses a more precise formula, so its answer may differ slightly from the rule of thumb.