The Ultimate Cider-Making Conversion Cheat Sheet
Cider-making is where old-world tradition meets backyard innovation. You can keep cider making as simple or complex as you would like. There are certainly many things to consider, like tweaking sugar levels, or adjusting acidity for balance, and precision is key to crafting the perfect batch. This guide lays out essential cider-making conversions, fermentation formulas, and an interactive calculator to make your process smoother—because making cider should be fun, not frustrating.
Basic Volume Conversions
| Measurement | Teaspoons (tsp) | Tablespoons (tbsp) | Fluid Ounces (fl oz) | Milliliters (mL) | Cups | Pints | Quarts | Gallons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp | 1 | 1/3 | 1/6 | 4.93 | - | - | - | - |
| 1 tbsp | 3 | 1 | 1/2 | 14.79 | - | - | - | - |
| 1 fl oz | 6 | 2 | 1 | 29.57 | 1/8 | - | - | - |
| 1 cup | 48 | 16 | 8 | 237 | 1 | 1/2 | 1/4 | 1/16 |
| 1 pint | 96 | 32 | 16 | 473 | 2 | 1 | 1/2 | 1/8 |
| 1 quart | 192 | 64 | 32 | 946 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1/4 |
| 1 gallon | 768 | 256 | 128 | 3,785 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 1 |
Cider-Specific Conversions & Formulas
| Conversion | Formula / Approximate Value |
|---|---|
| 1 Gallon Apple Juice | ~8.5 lbs |
| Average Starting Gravity of Fresh Apple Juice | ~1.045 – 1.055 SG |
| Sugar Needed to Boost Gravity | 1 lb Sugar = +0.046 SG per gallon |
| Target Final Gravity for Dry Cider | ~0.995 – 1.000 SG |
| Target Final Gravity for Sweet Cider | ~1.010 – 1.020 SG |
| Malic Acid Adjustment | 1 g per liter (~3.8 g per gallon) lowers pH ~0.1 |
| Recommended Yeast Pitching Rate | 0.5M cells/mL/°Brix |
Bottling Guide for Cider Makers
| Batch Size | 12 oz Bottles | 500 mL Bottles | 750 mL Bottles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Gallon | 10 | 8 | 5 |
| 5 Gallons | 54 | 40 | 25 |
| 10 Gallons | 108 | 80 | 50 |
| 15 Gallons | 162 | 120 | 75 |
Interactive Cider-Making Conversion Calculator
Use this interactive tool to quickly convert between different volume measurements, sugar additions, and acidity adjustments.
Why Precision Matters in Cider-Making
All said and done, cider-making is simple—you ferment some apple juice, let it clear and then bottle it. But small tweaks in sugar, acidity, and fermentation management make a huge impact on the final flavor. And small tweaks are easy, so why not make them? We hope you enjoy this information to help you produce the best and most reliable cider every time!