{"id":3069,"date":"2020-02-01T15:10:53","date_gmt":"2020-02-01T15:10:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/?p=3069"},"modified":"2021-07-31T16:45:52","modified_gmt":"2021-07-31T21:45:52","slug":"how-to-use-a-hydrometer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/2020\/02\/01\/how-to-use-a-hydrometer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use a Hydrometer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"566\" data-src=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot-16-1024x566.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3086 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot-16-1024x566.png 1024w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot-16-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot-16-768x424.png 768w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot-16-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot-16-600x331.png 600w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot-16.png 1305w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/566;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"566\" src=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot-16-1024x566.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3086\" srcset=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot-16-1024x566.png 1024w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot-16-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot-16-768x424.png 768w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot-16-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot-16-600x331.png 600w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot-16.png 1305w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"hydrometer  (opens in a new tab)\">hydrometer <\/a>is a tool that allows a brewer to calculate the alcohol by volume of a finished beer. The use of a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"hydrometer  (opens in a new tab)\">hydrometer <\/a>to calculate gravity throughout the brewing process is an important step in brewing consistent beer, especially if brewing the same recipe multiple times. Adding a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"hydrometer  (opens in a new tab)\">hydrometer <\/a>to your brewing gear and checking gravity diligently is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of improving your homebrew. <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Hydrometers  (opens in a new tab)\">Hydrometers <\/a>allow you to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Accurately determine the amount of sugar present in the wort pre-fermentation.<\/li><li>Identify whether your beer has finished fermenting or if it has become stuck part-way through the fermentation process.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/?p=3042\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Calculate the alcohol by volume (ABV) (opens in a new tab)\">Calculate the alcohol by volume (ABV)<\/a> of your homebrew (a good thing to know!)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"hydrometer  (opens in a new tab)\">hydrometer <\/a>is a long, thin glass tube with a weighted end at the bottom and 2-3 graduation scales printed running up and down the length of the tube. A <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"hydrometer  (opens in a new tab)\">hydrometer <\/a>works by measuring the density (gravity) of the wort in comparison to water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are usually 2-3 scales present on a<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" homebrewing-level hydrometer (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\"> homebrewing-level hydrometer<\/a>, but only two of them are relevant to most homebrewers: the Brix scale and the Potential Alcohol scale. For the purpose of small-batch homebrewing, I recommend focusing on the potential alcohol scale, which is the easiest to use. The following instructions will utilize the potential alcohol scale for reading gravity and calculating ABV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200131203034672_COVER-554x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3071 lazyload\" width=\"244\" height=\"452\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200131203034672_COVER-554x1024.jpg 554w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200131203034672_COVER-162x300.jpg 162w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200131203034672_COVER-768x1419.jpg 768w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200131203034672_COVER-831x1536.jpg 831w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200131203034672_COVER-scaled.jpg 1108w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200131203034672_COVER-600x1109.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 244px) 100vw, 244px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 244px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 244\/452;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200131203034672_COVER-554x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3071\" width=\"244\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200131203034672_COVER-554x1024.jpg 554w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200131203034672_COVER-162x300.jpg 162w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200131203034672_COVER-768x1419.jpg 768w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200131203034672_COVER-831x1536.jpg 831w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200131203034672_COVER-scaled.jpg 1108w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200131203034672_COVER-600x1109.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 244px) 100vw, 244px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"hydrometer  (opens in a new tab)\">hydrometer <\/a>is placed in distilled water, it should read 1.000<\/strong>. As more sugar is included in the wort, the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"hydrometer  (opens in a new tab)\">hydrometer <\/a>will float higher in the liquid, but as the sugar ferments into alcohol (which is lighter, or less dense than unfermented wort), it will float lower in the liquid.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"hydrometer  (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\">hydrometer <\/a>cannot provide ABV based on one measurement alone. To correctly calculate the alcohol content of your beer, you must take a gravity reading before you ferment the wort. This first reading is called the \u201cOriginal Gravity\u201d and the final reading is known as the \u201cFinal Gravity\u201d. Most recipes or kits that your find at your local homebrew shop (LHBS) or online shops like Northern Brewer will have the target Original Gravity and target Final Gravity listed for you, so it is good to compare your readings to theirs to make sure you\u2019re on target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Original Gravity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure you record your Original Gravity after you have cooled the wort but <strong>before pitching<\/strong> your yeast. The best way to do this is to grab a sample into the cylinder about halfway through draining the wort from the brew kettle to the fermenter. To take the reading, fill the cylinder about \u00be full of wort (don\u2019t overfill it, the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"hydrometer  (opens in a new tab)\">hydrometer <\/a>will displace some of the worth when inserted) and place the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"hydrometer  (opens in a new tab)\">hydrometer <\/a>inside, allowing it to settle in the center of the wort not touching the sides of the cylinder.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The graduation lines on the Potential Alcohol scale represent specific gravity points. Record the number on the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"hydrometer  (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\">hydrometer <\/a>where the wort crosses it at the bottom of the meniscus (the lowest point). From the picture, you can see that the original gravity reading of this beer was 1.068.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202651-704x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3073 lazyload\" width=\"284\" height=\"413\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202651-704x1024.png 704w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202651-206x300.png 206w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202651-768x1118.png 768w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202651-600x873.png 600w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202651.png 977w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 284px) 100vw, 284px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 284px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 284\/413;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202651-704x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3073\" width=\"284\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202651-704x1024.png 704w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202651-206x300.png 206w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202651-768x1118.png 768w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202651-600x873.png 600w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202651.png 977w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 284px) 100vw, 284px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have recorded the number, you will need to adjust for temperature. The wort\u2019s gravity will be different at different temperatures, so you will need to adjust your OG reading slightly based on the temperature. Most <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Hydrometers  (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\">hydrometers <\/a>are made to assume a temperature of 59  degrees Fahrenheit\/15 degrees Celsius. You should know the temperature of your wort from the cooling process after the boil, so using the temperature of the wort and the OG you measured with the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"hydrometer (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\">hydrometer<\/a>, use the calculator below to adjust your Original Gravity. For example, the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"hydrometer  (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\">hydrometer <\/a>in the example above read 1.068, but because it was 72 degrees, we must add 0.0016 to the OG, giving us a corrected OG of 1.0694 (we can round that to 1.070, which is a pretty big beer!). Make sure you record this as your Original Gravity. I <strong>do not<\/strong> recommend putting the wort sample into the fermenter after taking the reading! It would add a high risk of contamination, so I generally take the opportunity to taste the wort from the sample at this point and make some <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"notes  (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/2018\/07\/25\/free-brew-day-worksheet\/\" target=\"_blank\">notes <\/a>about pre-fermentation flavor and aroma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<form name=\"cp_calculatedfieldsf_pform_1\" id=\"cp_calculatedfieldsf_pform_1\" action=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/2020\/02\/01\/how-to-use-a-hydrometer\/\" method=\"post\" enctype=\"multipart\/form-data\" onsubmit=\"return fbuilderjQuery.fbuilder.doValidate(this);\" class=\"cff-form \" >\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cp_calculatedfieldsf_pform_psequence\" value=\"_1\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cp_calculatedfieldsf_id\" value=\"10\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cp_ref_page\" value=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\" \/>\n<pre style=\"display:none !important;\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">form_structure_1=[[{\"form_identifier\":\"\",\"name\":\"fieldname4\",\"shortlabel\":\"\",\"index\":0,\"ftype\":\"fnumber\",\"userhelp\":\"\",\"userhelpTooltip\":false,\"csslayout\":\"\",\"title\":\"Hydrometer Calibration Temperature\",\"predefined\":\"\",\"predefinedClick\":false,\"required\":false,\"readonly\":false,\"size\":\"small\",\"thousandSeparator\":\"\",\"decimalSymbol\":\".\",\"min\":\"\",\"max\":\"\",\"formatDynamically\":false,\"dformat\":\"number\",\"formats\":[\"digits\",\"number\",\"percent\"],\"fBuild\":{},\"parent\":\"\"},{\"form_identifier\":\"\",\"name\":\"fieldname2\",\"shortlabel\":\"\",\"index\":1,\"ftype\":\"fnumber\",\"userhelp\":\"\",\"userhelpTooltip\":false,\"csslayout\":\"\",\"title\":\"Measured Gravity\",\"predefined\":\"\",\"predefinedClick\":false,\"required\":false,\"readonly\":false,\"size\":\"small\",\"thousandSeparator\":\"\",\"decimalSymbol\":\".\",\"min\":\"\",\"max\":\"\",\"formatDynamically\":false,\"dformat\":\"number\",\"formats\":[\"digits\",\"number\",\"percent\"],\"fBuild\":{},\"parent\":\"\"},{\"form_identifier\":\"\",\"name\":\"fieldname3\",\"shortlabel\":\"\",\"index\":2,\"ftype\":\"fnumber\",\"userhelp\":\"\",\"userhelpTooltip\":false,\"csslayout\":\"\",\"title\":\"Measured Temperature\",\"predefined\":\"\",\"predefinedClick\":false,\"required\":false,\"readonly\":false,\"size\":\"small\",\"thousandSeparator\":\"\",\"decimalSymbol\":\".\",\"min\":\"\",\"max\":\"\",\"formatDynamically\":false,\"dformat\":\"number\",\"formats\":[\"digits\",\"number\",\"percent\"],\"fBuild\":{},\"parent\":\"\"},{\"form_identifier\":\"\",\"name\":\"separator1\",\"shortlabel\":\"\",\"index\":3,\"ftype\":\"fSectionBreak\",\"userhelp\":\"\",\"userhelpTooltip\":false,\"csslayout\":\"\",\"title\":\"\",\"fBuild\":{},\"parent\":\"\"},{\"dependencies\":[{\"rule\":\"\",\"complex\":false,\"fields\":[\"\"]}],\"form_identifier\":\"\",\"name\":\"fieldname1\",\"shortlabel\":\"\",\"index\":4,\"ftype\":\"fCalculated\",\"userhelp\":\"\",\"userhelpTooltip\":false,\"csslayout\":\"\",\"title\":\"Corrected Gravity\",\"predefined\":\"\",\"required\":false,\"size\":\"small\",\"eq\":\"fieldname2*((1.00130346-0.000134722124*fieldname3+0.00000204052596*POW(fieldname3,2)-0.00000000232820948*POW(fieldname3,3))\\\/(1.00130346-0.000134722124*fieldname4+0.00000204052596*POW(fieldname4,2)- 0.00000000232820948*POW(fieldname4,3)))\",\"suffix\":\"\",\"prefix\":\"\",\"decimalsymbol\":\".\",\"groupingsymbol\":\"\",\"readonly\":true,\"hidefield\":false,\"fBuild\":{},\"parent\":\"\"}],{\"0\":{\"title\":\"Hydrometer Temperature Correction Calculator\",\"description\":\"\",\"formlayout\":\"top_aligned\",\"formtemplate\":\"cp_cff_clean\",\"evalequations\":1,\"evalequationsevent\":2,\"autocomplete\":1,\"persistence\":0,\"customstyles\":\"\"},\"formid\":\"cp_calculatedfieldsf_pform_1\"}];<\/script><\/pre>\n<div id=\"fbuilder\">\n\t\t<div id=\"fbuilder_1\">\n\t\t<div id=\"formheader_1\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fieldlist_1\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"clearer\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<div id=\"cp_subbtn_1\" class=\"cp_subbtn\" style=\"display:none;\"><\/div><div class=\"clearer\"><\/div>\n\t<input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_cpcff_public_nonce\" name=\"_cpcff_public_nonce\" value=\"7b2baf3671\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3069\" \/><\/form>\n\t\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Gravity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are planning to do a secondary fermentation once fermentation has slowed or stopped in your primary, I recommend taking another sample while transferring from primary to secondary following the same steps as above and adjusting for temperature. This reading should give you an idea of whether fermentation is almost done or if it got stuck earlier in the process, leaving excess sugar. If you are not doing a secondary fermentation, I do not recommend opening the fermenter to take a reading halfway through the fermentation process as it could result in contamination. Like the first time, I do not recommend putting the sample back into the fermenter, and instead recommend taking a taste and noting the changes in flavor\/aroma. Make sure you record the gravity reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202638-502x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3074 lazyload\" width=\"249\" height=\"508\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202638-502x1024.png 502w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202638-147x300.png 147w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202638-600x1224.png 600w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202638.png 646w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 249px) 100vw, 249px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 249px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 249\/508;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202638-502x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3074\" width=\"249\" height=\"508\" srcset=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202638-502x1024.png 502w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202638-147x300.png 147w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202638-600x1224.png 600w, https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screenshot_20200131-202638.png 646w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 249px) 100vw, 249px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, when your beer has finished fermenting and it is time to keg or bottle, you\u2019ll need to take a Final Gravity reading. Follow the same steps as above to use the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2uOjQYj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">hydrometer <\/a>to take the reading and adjust for temperature. For the example I have provided so far, I ended up with a Final Gravity of 1.012<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now you should have your reading for your Original Gravity and your reading for your Final Gravity recorded in your notes (or on your <a href=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/2018\/07\/25\/free-brew-day-worksheet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Brew Day Worksheet (opens in a new tab)\">Brew Day Worksheet<\/a>). To calculate ABV, subtract the Final Gravity from the Original Gravity and multiply by 131.25. More simply put, apply the following formula to the two gravity readings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\"><strong>(OG-FG) x 131.25 = ABV<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, using the formula for the example I have provided, I would use the formula to calculate my ABV:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(1.069-1.012)x 131.25 = 7.48%<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Record your ABV and then bottle or keg your beer. Knowing the ABV of your homebrew helps avoid over-consumption and provides you with a more consistent homebrew, especially as you dial in your favorite recipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t want to bother with the math? <a href=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/?p=3042\">Check out our ABV Calculator and our ABV Chart to find your ABV based on your gravity readings!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Thanks for Reading!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Questions or tips to share with the rest of the BrewTogether community? Leave a comment below or<a href=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/forums\">&nbsp;post in the forums<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re not a member of BrewTogether, we\u2019d love for you to<a href=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/register\/\">&nbsp;join<\/a>! BrewTogether is completely free, and<a href=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/register\/\">&nbsp;signing up<\/a>&nbsp;is easy!<a href=\"https:\/\/brewtogether.com\/register\/\">&nbsp;Click here to join<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you for reading! 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