Beer and Wine CO2 Carbonation Calculator
Getting CO2 carbonation right shouldn’t require squinting at a decades-old paper chart. This calculator uses the same solubility science as the classic Zahm and Nagel chart to convert between temperature, pressure, and dissolved CO2 volumes – whether you’re setting a regulator before force carbonating or checking a Zahm meter reading against your target. An adjustable mode also accounts for specific gravity and ABV, extending accurate results beyond standard beer to wine and cider.
CO2 volumes calculator
What do you want to find?
Use this calculator to check the volumes of dissolved CO2 in your product. By inputting the temperature and pressure readings measured on a Zahm, the volumes of dissolved CO2 will be calculated.
Calculation method
This uses the classic Zahm and Nagel / ASBC solubility curve. It’s calibrated to beer at a typical specific gravity (about 1.015) and a small ABV range (roughly 3–7%), which is where most everyday beer styles fall. Use this for standard beers — it’s the same math the physical Zahm and Nagel chart is built on.
If you know Brix instead of Plato, you can enter it here — the two scales are close enough to use interchangeably for this calculation.
Dissolved CO2
2.47 volumes
Based on a curve fit to the Zahm and Nagel / ASBC CO2 solubility chart. Typical accuracy is within about 0.05 volumes across normal brewing ranges (beer, 3–7% ABV).
FAQs
Volumes of CO2 describe how much carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in a beverage, measured as the equivalent volume of CO2 gas (at 0°C and 1 atmosphere) per volume of liquid. One volume of CO2 equals about 1.96 grams per liter. It's the standard unit used on the Zahm and Nagel chart and throughout the brewing and winemaking industry.
Enter the temperature and pressure readings from your Zahm and Nagel meter into the Find Volumes calculator. The Standard calculation uses the same solubility curve as the physical Zahm and Nagel chart to calculate the volumes of dissolved CO2 in your sample.
The regulator pressure needed depends on both your target CO2 volumes and your product's temperature. Use the Find Pressure calculator with your target volumes and current tank temperature to get the correct psi setting for force carbonation.
The Standard calculation method is calibrated specifically for beer within a typical 3-7% ABV range. For wine, cider, or higher-ABV beers, switch to the Adjusted for SG & ABV method, which accounts for how alcohol content and specific gravity affect CO2 solubility beyond standard beer parameters.
Ethanol is less dense than water and increases CO2's solubility in a liquid, while dissolved sugars and extract decrease it. Because wine typically has a much higher ABV than beer, using a beer-only carbonation formula can understate how much CO2 a wine or cider will actually hold at a given temperature and pressure.
Volumes and g/L both measure dissolved CO2 content, just in different units. One volume of CO2 equals approximately 1.96 g/L. This calculator can display results in either unit using the Volumes/g-L toggle.
While many producers work in volumes, TTB regulation are written as g/L. You can find more information about this on our CO₂ 101: Understanding Carbon Dioxide in Wine, Beer & Cider page.