How much grain do I need for a standard batch?

For a typical 23L batch at 1.050 OG with 72% efficiency, you need about 4.5-5kg of pale malt. Higher gravity beers or lower efficiency systems need more grain.

What PPG should I use for mixed grain bills?

Use a weighted average. If your bill is 90% pale malt (37 PPG) and 10% crystal (34 PPG): (0.9 x 37) + (0.1 x 34) = 36.7 PPG. For a simple estimate, 36-37 works for most recipes.

Does mash tun size limit my grain bill?

Yes. A typical mash tun holds about 2.5-3L per kg of grain (including water). A 40L mash tun can handle about 8-9kg of grain. Use our Mash Tun Calculator to check your capacity.

What percentage should specialty malts be?

For most styles, specialty malts make up 5-20% of the grain bill. Crystal malts: 5-15%, roasted malts: 1-5%, Munich/Vienna: can be up to 100%. Going above 20% specialty malt can produce cloyingly sweet or harsh flavours depending on the type.

How do I design a grain bill for a specific style?

Start with BJCP style guidelines for the OG range. Choose a base malt (80-95%), then add specialty malts for colour, body, and flavour. Use our Style Guidelines Calculator to check your parameters against the target style.

BrewCalcs

Grain Bill Calculator — Total Grain Needed

Calculate the total grain weight needed for your target OG and batch size.

Target OG

Gravity reading before fermentation

Batch Size

Volume of your batch

Brewhouse Efficiency

Default: 72%. Typical range 65-80%

Grain Type

Select grain type or enter custom PPG

How We Calculate This

The Grain Bill Formula

Grain (lbs) = (Gravity Points x Volume in gallons) / (PPG x Efficiency)

This calculates the total extract needed from your grain bill and divides by the expected yield per pound of grain, adjusted for your brewhouse efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Mash Efficiency Calculator

Calculate mash efficiency and brewhouse efficiency from grain weight, pre-boil gravity, volume and grain potential PPG.

Extract Substitution Calculator

Convert between all-grain and extract recipes with equivalent amounts.

Colour Calculator

Estimate beer colour in SRM, EBC and Lovibond from your grain bill.

Malt Extract Calculator

Calculate liquid or dry malt extract needed for your target gravity.

Grain Absorption Calculator

Estimate water lost to grain absorption during mashing.

Last updated: 2025-02-20

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