Alcohol Dilution Calculator

Written by Great Medico

Updated September 25, 2026 •2 min read

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The number at the end matters, but the assumptions behind it matter just as much. The Alcohol Dilution Calculator helps you solve the strong and weak liquid volumes needed to reach a target alcohol concentration, then shows supporting values that make the estimate easier to sanity-check before you use it in the kitchen, brewery, party plan, or shopping list.

What this calculator does

The Alcohol Dilution Calculator uses the fields on this page to solve the strong and weak liquid volumes needed to reach a target alcohol concentration. Its primary output is labeled “Alcohol dilution” and is displayed in L final volume. Supporting readouts include Strong alcohol, Water / weak alcohol, Target.

How to use it

Enter the known values in Strong alcohol, Water / weak alcohol, Target. Leave the value you want to solve from the relationship blank when the page supports reverse solving. Keep concentrations on the same percentage basis and quantities in the units shown; the calculator handles its supported unit conversion before applying the equation.

How the calculation works

The mixture follows conservation of alcohol: C₁V₁ + C₂V₂ = Ctarget × Vfinal. When one volume is provided, the calculator solves the other volume needed to reach the target ABV.

Example

With Strong alcohol = 40 % ABV, Water / weak alcohol = 0 % ABV, Target = 20 % ABV, the calculator returns 2 L final volume for “Alcohol dilution.” The same run also shows Strong alcohol = 1 L at 40%; Water / weak alcohol = 1 L at 0%; Target = 20% ABV; Final volume = 2 L. Changing one input at a time makes it easy to see which assumption is driving the result.

How to interpret the result

For the Alcohol Dilution Calculator, the main output is expressed as L final volume. Read it together with the supporting values and the exact inputs you used; a larger or smaller answer only has meaning within this calculator’s specific recipe, serving, or process model.

Limitations and notes

The calculation assumes volumes are additive and concentrations are measured on the same ABV basis. Real ethanol–water mixtures contract slightly when mixed, and legal beverage production may require measurement, tax, or labeling methods beyond simple dilution math.