Brine Ratio Calculator
Calculate salt and sugar quantities for wet or dry brining by weight.
Last updated · View algorithm, constants and default inputs (JSON)
About this calculator
This tool calculates salt from a percentage of the food weight in dry mode or food plus water weight in wet mode. The “salt as a share of the food” output uses food weight as its denominator, so in wet mode it is not the salt concentration of the brine. The result does not prescribe brining time or establish food safety. The tablespoon output is approximate and assumes 18 g of salt per tablespoon; crystal size and salt type change volume.
Worked example
calculated with the default values below
Brining method Wet brine (submerged) · Weight of the food 2,000 g · Water weight (wet brine) 3,000 g · Brine strength 5 % · Sugar as a share of the salt 50 % Salt 250.0 g · Salt 8.8 oz · Salt (approx. tbsp) 13.9 tbsp · Sugar 125.0 g · Base weight for salt percentage 5,000 g · Salt as a share of the food 12.50 %
General background references
Disclaimer
These calculators give general cooking guidance. Ingredient density, oven calibration, altitude and equipment all vary, and safe minimum internal temperatures always take precedence over timings. Follow the food-safety advice issued by your national authority.
Implementation source
This record describes the implementation used by this page. It is not independent validation. External references, when available, support only the stated formula or definition; estimates and custom rules retain their own assumptions.
Formula and variables
Salt = T·p ÷ 100; Sugar = Salt·q ÷ 100; T = F + m·W, m ∈ {0,1}
- Salt
- Salt, g
- T
- Total brine weight, g
- p
- Brine strength, % of total weight
- q
- Sugar as % of salt
- F
- Food weight, g
- W
- Water weight for wet brine, g
- Sugar
- Sugar, g
- m
- Brine mode: 0 dry, 1 wet
Calculates ingredient quantities from the selected ratio basis. It does not estimate brining time or food safety.
Frequently asked questions
What does the wet-brine salt percentage use as its denominator?
In wet mode, the tool applies the entered percentage to food weight plus water weight. With 2,000 g food, 3,000 g water and 5%, it calculates 250 g salt. The concentration output divides that salt by food weight only, so it is not the salt concentration of the liquid. Dry mode applies the percentage to food weight. This calculator does not prescribe brining time or certify food safety.