🧮
Free Calculator

Carbonation Level Calculator

Enter your beverage type, temperature, and desired carbonation — get exact PSI, CO₂ volumes, estimated carbonation time, and method recommendations. Based on Henry's Law CO₂ solubility equations.

⚗️
Carbonation Calculator
Henry's Law–based CO₂ solubility calculator for home carbonation
Colder = more CO₂ absorbed. 38°F (3°C) recommended.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Select your beverage type — this sets the target CO₂ volumes for that drink style automatically.
  2. Enter your liquid temperature. Always measure after chilling, not at room temperature. Colder = more efficient carbonation.
  3. Select your batch volume and carbonation method.
  4. Click Calculate to get your PSI target, CO₂ volumes, estimated time, and CO₂ usage.
💡 Pro Tip: Always Chill First
CO₂ dissolves into cold liquid roughly twice as efficiently as warm liquid. Set your refrigerator to 34–38°F, let your liquid fully chill before carbonating, and you'll use half the CO₂ for the same result. This one habit extends every cylinder noticeably.

The Science Behind the Calculator

This calculator uses Henry's Law to determine the relationship between CO₂ pressure, temperature, and dissolved gas concentration. Henry's Law states that at a fixed temperature, the concentration of a dissolved gas is proportional to the partial pressure of that gas above the liquid.

The CO₂ solubility constant (kH) varies with temperature. As temperature decreases, kH increases — meaning more CO₂ dissolves at the same pressure. The relationship follows an approximately exponential curve, which is why the temperature effect is so dramatic (roughly doubling between 68°F and 38°F).

The equation used: PSI = (CO₂ volumes / kH(T)) × 14.696 - 14.696 where kH(T) is the Henry's Law constant at temperature T in Kelvin, derived from the Van't Hoff equation for CO₂ solubility.

Results are for guidance — real-world carbonation is affected by dissolved minerals in water, liquid composition, headspace volume, and equipment calibration. See our full guide to how carbonation works for a deeper dive.

More Calculators

Tool

Syrup Dilution Calculator

Get the exact syrup-to-water ratio for your homemade soda recipe. Input desired sweetness and batch size.

Open Calculator →
Tool

CO₂ Cost Calculator

Compare the true cost of SodaStream cylinders vs. third-party refills vs. upgrading to a large tank over time.

Open Calculator →