# Keg Carbonation Calculator

Keg carbonation pressure is the CO2 regulator setting, in psi or bar, needed to dissolve a target number of CO2 volumes into beer at a given temperature. Cold beer absorbs CO2 far more readily, so the same pressure produces very different carbonation at 2 °C and 10 °C. At equilibrium — typically five to seven days — the carbonation level is fully determined by pressure and temperature.

Set the regulator, leave it connected, and the beer reaches equilibrium on its own in about a week.

HTML version: https://brewgravity.com/calculators/keg-carbonation/

## Inputs

- **Keg temperature (°C)** (step 0.5) — default: 4
- **Target CO₂ volumes** (min 0, step 0.1) — default: 2.4

## Outputs

- **psi**: Regulator pressure
- **bar**: In bar
- **tempF**: Keg temperature

## FAQ

### What pressure should I set my kegerator to?

For an American ale at 2.4 volumes and 4 °C, around 11–12 psi. Adjust for your actual keg temperature — a fridge running at 7 °C needs noticeably more pressure for the same carbonation.

### How long does force carbonation take?

Five to seven days at serving pressure. Shaking the keg speeds it up dramatically but makes the result hard to predict; if you have the patience, set and forget is more reliable.

### My beer pours as all foam. Is it overcarbonated?

Sometimes, but more often the beer line is too short for the pressure, or the keg is warmer than you think. Check line length before you start venting the keg.

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Source: https://brewgravity.com — Free keg force carbonation calculator giving regulator pressure in psi and bar from keg temperature and target CO₂ volumes, with a reference table and notes on line balancing.