How long does force carbonation take at serving pressure?

At the correct equilibrium pressure, most beers reach target carbonation in 10 to 14 days when stored cold at 2 to 4 degrees Celsius. Warmer temperatures or lower CO2 volumes may carbonise faster. The calculator estimates equilibrium time based on your inputs using CO2 solubility data.

What is burst carbonation and how does it work?

Burst carbonation involves setting the regulator to 28 to 30 PSI for 24 to 48 hours, agitating the keg periodically to speed up gas absorption, then reducing to serving pressure. This can carbonate beer in 2 to 3 days rather than 10 to 14, but risks over-carbonation if left too long at high pressure.

How do I calculate the correct serving pressure for my keg?

Serving pressure is determined by beer temperature and desired CO2 volumes. The calculator uses a polynomial approximation of the CO2 solubility curve. For most homebrewers at 4 degrees Celsius and 2.5 CO2 volumes, serving pressure is approximately 10 to 12 PSI.

How much CO2 does it take to carbonate a 19-litre keg?

A 19-litre corny keg typically uses 60 to 90 grams of CO2 to fully carbonate at 2.5 volumes, depending on temperature and headspace. A 2.27 kg CO2 cylinder will therefore carbonate 25 to 35 kegs before needing a refill, accounting for purging and serving losses.

Why does temperature affect the carbonation pressure?

CO2 solubility in liquid increases at lower temperatures — colder beer dissolves more CO2 at a given pressure. This is why the same beer carbonated at 2 degrees Celsius requires less PSI than at 12 degrees Celsius to achieve the same CO2 volumes. Always carbonate at your planned serving temperature for accurate results.

BrewCalcs

Keg Carbonation Calculator — Pressure, Time & CO2 Usage

Calculate the exact force carbonation pressure, equilibrium time and CO2 usage for your homebrew keg.

Beer Volume

Volume of beer to carbonate (e.g. 19 L corny keg)

Target CO2 Volumes

Desired carbonation level (2.0–2.5 ales, 2.5–3.0 lagers, 3.0+ wheat beers)

Beer Temperature

Temperature of beer during carbonation — carbonate at serving temperature

Current Line Pressure

Your current regulator setting or planned serving pressure

How We Calculate This

Equilibrium Pressure Formula

The required PSI is calculated using a polynomial approximation of CO2 solubility in beer at a given temperature. The formula accounts for both temperature and target CO2 volumes:

PSI = f(temperature °C, CO2 volumes) — based on the Pearce carbonation chart approximation.

CO2 Usage Calculation

Total CO2 used equals dissolved CO2 in solution plus CO2 in the keg headspace. Dissolved CO2 is calculated as beer volume × CO2 volumes × CO2 density (1.977 g/L). Headspace CO2 uses the ideal gas law at the equilibrium pressure and temperature.

Equilibrium Time

Equilibrium days are estimated from base rates adjusted for temperature and target CO2 volumes. Colder beer takes longer to reach equilibrium as gas diffusion is slower, but produces more stable carbonation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Keg Pressure Calculator

Calculate serving and carbonation pressures for your keg setup.

Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify values and adjust based on your equipment and ingredients.