Brix Density Converter
A 12 degree Brix juice has a specific gravity of about 1.048, or about 1,046 kg/m3.
Quick answer: Use the sugar solution formula, then multiply the specific gravity by the density of water. For example, 12 Brix is 1.048 SG, 20 Brix is 1.083 SG and 5 Brix is 1.02 SG.
The Brix to density formula
Specific gravity is about 1 plus Brix divided by 258.6 minus Brix over 258.2 times 227.1.
Multiply by 998.2 kg/m3 for the density.
Take 12 Brix. 1 + 12 ÷ (258.6 − 12 ÷ 258.2 × 227.1) gives 1.048 SG.
Take 20 Brix. 1 + 20 ÷ (258.6 − 20 ÷ 258.2 × 227.1) gives 1.083 SG.
Sugar makes a liquid denser
Degrees Brix and degrees Plato are closely related sugar scales. A brewing library notes that the difference between them is generally under 0.0005 degrees, except for weak solutions (Brewday docs: Sugar utilities).
So this page uses the same Plato style formula for Brix, which is a standard estimate for sugar solutions.
How to convert Brix to density step by step
- Read the degrees Brix.
- Work out Brix divided by 258.6 minus Brix over 258.2 times 227.1.
- Add 1 to get the specific gravity.
- Multiply by 998.2 to get the density in kg/m3.
Example 1: 12 Brix
- Start with 12 Brix.
- 1 + 12 ÷ (258.6 − 12 ÷ 258.2 × 227.1) = 1.048.
- The specific gravity is 1.048 SG.
12 Brix = 1.048 SG
Example 2: 20 Brix
- Start with 20 Brix.
- 1 + 20 ÷ (258.6 − 20 ÷ 258.2 × 227.1) = 1.083.
- The specific gravity is 1.083 SG.
20 Brix = 1.083 SG
Example 3: 5 Brix
- Start with 5 Brix.
- 1 + 5 ÷ (258.6 − 5 ÷ 258.2 × 227.1) = 1.02.
- The specific gravity is 1.02 SG.
5 Brix = 1.02 SG
The three examples below use common sizes.
Each one shows the sum in full.
Brix to density conversion table
| Degrees Brix | Specific gravity | Density (kg/m3) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Brix | 1.004 SG | 1,002.07 kg/m3 |
| 2 Brix | 1.008 SG | 1,005.97 kg/m3 |
| 5 Brix | 1.02 SG | 1,017.83 kg/m3 |
| 8 Brix | 1.032 SG | 1,029.94 kg/m3 |
| 10 Brix | 1.04 SG | 1,038.16 kg/m3 |
| 12 Brix | 1.048 SG | 1,046.49 kg/m3 |
| 15 Brix | 1.061 SG | 1,059.21 kg/m3 |
| 18 Brix | 1.074 SG | 1,072.21 kg/m3 |
| 20 Brix | 1.083 SG | 1,081.04 kg/m3 |
| 22 Brix | 1.092 SG | 1,089.99 kg/m3 |
| 24 Brix | 1.101 SG | 1,099.07 kg/m3 |
| 25 Brix | 1.106 SG | 1,103.67 kg/m3 |
The highlighted row is the default of the calculator. The last column gives kg/m3.
A quick mental shortcut for Brix to density
Sugar adds mass without adding much volume, so the liquid gets denser. At 12 Brix the specific gravity is about 1.048, and at 20 Brix it is about 1.083.
A rough rule is that each degree Brix adds about 0.004 to the specific gravity.
Worked examples
At 5 Brix the specific gravity is about 1.0197, which is about 1,017.8 kg/m3. At 10 Brix it is about 1.0400, which is about 1,038.2 kg/m3.
At 25 Brix it is about 1.1057, which is about 1,103.7 kg/m3.
The simple rule
A simpler estimate adds 0.004 per degree to 1 (Brewday docs: Sugar utilities). At 12 Brix that gives 1.048, close to the full formula.
At 25 Brix the simple rule gives 1.100, a little under the full formula at 1.1057, so the full formula is better for strong solutions.
It is an estimate
This formula is a standard approximation for sugar solutions. Real juice, wine and syrup hold other dissolved solids, so the true density can differ.
For exact work, use a calibrated meter and the correction for temperature.
Temperature
This page uses 998.2 kg/m3 for water, which is the density of water at 20 C. A reading taken at another temperature needs a correction.
Check what temperature your meter is set for.
Brix and Plato
Brix is used for juice, fruit and wine, while Plato is used for brewing wort. The two scales give nearly the same number, so the formula is shared.
The Plato to SG page shows the same sum with gravity points.
Quick conversion answers
| Conversion | Result |
|---|---|
| 12 Brix | 1.048 SG |
| 20 Brix | 1.083 SG |
| 5 Brix | 1.02 SG |
| 24 Brix | 1.101 SG |
Where this conversion is used
Makers of juice, syrup and wine estimate density from a Brix reading.
Students link sugar content to density.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating the estimate as exact. Other solids shift the density.
- Ignoring temperature. The density of water changes with it.
- Mixing Brix with percent alcohol. They are different measures.
- Using the simple 0.004 rule at high Brix. The full formula is better.
Related converters
More Brix values
3 Brix is 1.012 SG. 4 Brix is 1.016 SG. 6 Brix is 1.024 SG.
9 Brix is 1.036 SG. 11 Brix is 1.044 SG. 14 Brix is 1.057 SG.
16 Brix is 1.065 SG. 21 Brix is 1.087 SG. 23 Brix is 1.096 SG.
Going back to Brix
A simple way back is to take the specific gravity, subtract 1, multiply by 1,000 and divide by 4 (Brewday docs: Sugar utilities). A specific gravity of 1.048 then gives 12.
This is a rough check and it drifts at high strength.
Mass of a batch
At 12 Brix the density is about 1,046.5 kg/m3. So 10 litres, which is 0.01 m3, has a mass of about 10.46 kg.
This is heavier than 10 litres of water, which has a mass of about 9.98 kg at 20 C.
Comparing two juices
A 5 Brix juice has a density of about 1,017.8 kg/m3, and a 20 Brix juice has a density of about 1,081.0 kg/m3. The gap is about 63.2 kg/m3.
A sweeter liquid is clearly denser.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert Brix to specific gravity?
Use SG = 1 + Brix / (258.6 – Brix / 258.2 x 227.1).
What is the SG of 12 Brix?
About 1.0484.
What is the density of 12 Brix juice?
About 1,046.5 kg/m3.
Is Brix the same as Plato?
Nearly. The two scales differ only a little.
Is the answer exact?
No. It is an estimate for sugar solutions.
Does temperature matter?
Yes. This page assumes water at 20 C.
Sources
- Brewday docs: Sugar utilities (brewday.readthedocs.io)
