Brine Concentration Calculator
Calculate the exact amount of salt needed for any brine concentration, with corrections for salt type and density.
Results
What is it?
Brine concentration is measured as the weight of salt divided by the total weight of brine (salt + water), expressed as a percentage. This calculator uses the standard formula: salt needed = (water weight x target%) / (100% - target%). Different salt types have different densities, so the teaspoon conversion varies significantly between table salt and Diamond Crystal kosher salt.
How to use
Enter the volume of water in milliliters (1 mL water = 1 g water). Enter your target salinity percentage and select your salt type. The calculator outputs the exact salt weight in grams and an approximate teaspoon measurement.
Example scenario
1,000 mL water, 3% salinity with table salt: you need 30.93g salt (about 5.2 tsp). The same 3% with Diamond Crystal kosher would be about 7.5 tsp due to its lower density — a common recipe mistake that can ruin ferments.
Pro tip
Always weigh salt in grams for brine work — teaspoon measurements vary too much by salt type to be reliable. For lacto-fermentation, 2-3% is the sweet spot that inhibits harmful bacteria while allowing beneficial lactobacillus to thrive. Below 1.5% risks spoilage; above 5% can inhibit fermentation completely.