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Calcimator

Brine Calculator

Calculate salt and water amounts for canning brine based on jar count, size, and brine type.

Inputs

oz
%

Results

Salt Needed

331.2 g

≈ 3 sticks of butter

Water Needed

6,624 mL

≈ 19 soda cans

Salt18.4 tbsp (kosher)
Water28 cups
Total Brine Volume224 oz
Effective Brine %5%
Total Brine Liters6.62
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the number of jars and jar size in ounces.
  2. Set the brine salt percentage (typically 3–5% for refrigerator pickles, up to 10% for brined vegetables).
  3. Select brine type (salt, vinegar, or fermentation brine).
  4. The calculator returns salt in grams and tablespoons, water in mL and cups, total brine volume, and effective brine concentration.
  5. Dissolve salt in water, add vinegar if specified, then ladle hot brine over packed jars leaving ½ inch headspace.

How the result changes with Number of Jars

Number of JarsSalt NeededWater Needed
11520.5 g10,410 mL
361,703.4 g34,069 mL
653,075.6 g61,513 mL
904,258.6 g85,172 mL

What each input means

Number of Jars
Total number of jars to fill with brine.
Jar Size
Jar capacity in fluid ounces. Common sizes: 8 (half-pint), 16 (pint), 32 (quart).
Brine Percentage
Salt concentration by weight. 3% for fresh-pack pickles, 3.5% for half-sours, 5% for fermented pickles.
Brine Type
1 = Fermented (5% — for lacto-fermentation), 2 = Fresh-Pack (3% — for vinegar pickles), 3 = Half-Sour (3.5%).

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Number of Jars = 7, Jar Size = 32, Brine Percentage = 5, Brine Type = 1 = 4 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Salt Needed
    Salt Needed
    331.2 = 331.2
  3. Calculate Water Needed
    Water Needed
    6624 = 6624
  4. Calculate Salt
    Salt
    18.4 = 18.4
  5. Calculate Water
    Water
    28 = 28

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