Keg Carbonation Calculator

Brewery Utility

Keg Carbonation Calculator

Force carbonating beer requires precision. Calculate the exact regulator pressure (PSI) needed to hit your target volumes of CO₂ based on your keg's temperature.

Companion Tool: Force Carbonation Chart

System Units US Imperial (°F) Metric (°C)

Target Carbonation (Volumes)

Keg Temperature (°F)

Set Regulator To

11.2

PSI

Visualizing Carbonation: Flat to Foam

Carbonation Guidelines by Style

Style	Target Volumes
British Style Ales	1.5 - 2.0
Porter / Stout	1.7 - 2.3
Belgian Ales	1.9 - 2.4
American Ales / Lager	2.2 - 2.7
European Lagers	2.2 - 2.7
Lambic / Sour	2.4 - 2.8
German Wheat Beer	3.3 - 4.5
Fruit Lambic	3.0 - 4.5

The Simple Approach

A "middle of the road" target for most American and European beers is 2.2 to 2.4 volumes. For a typical kegerator kept at 38°F (3.3°C), a regulator setting of 10 to 12 PSI is the sweet spot. With a standard 5-foot beer line (3/16" ID), this usually provides a balanced pour with about 1 inch of foam head.

If you prefer higher carbonation (like a Wheat beer at 3.5 volumes), remember that you will need to increase your line length to prevent foaming. See our article on getting a good pour based on line length for more details.

Brewer's Notes

Patience is Key: While you can shake a keg to carbonate it in minutes, the best results come from the "Set and Forget" method. Set your regulator to the calculated PSI and leave it for 7–10 days. This ensures the CO₂ dissolves into the beer evenly, creating finer bubbles and better head retention.

Safety First: Be careful with pressurized gas. Always test your relief valves (PRV) and never exceed the manufacturer's pressure ratings for your kegs or tubing.

Remember: the lower the setting on your regulator, the longer your CO₂ tank will last (provided there are no leaks). There is nothing worse than over-carbonating an otherwise successful batch. Take your time.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be used for commercial or industrial brewing operations without independent verification. No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided. Always use proper safety equipment when working with compressed gas.