SRM Color Calculator

Estimate your beer's color in SRM or EBC from the grain bill, with the Morey equation and a color preview, in metric, US or imperial units.

Beer color is estimated by multiplying each malt's color in °Lovibond by its weight in pounds, dividing by the batch volume in US gallons, and turning that total (MCU) into SRM with the Morey equation. 4.5 kg of pale malt, 0.4 kg of 60 °L crystal and 0.1 kg of chocolate malt in 23 L give about 13.5 SRM.

Reviewed by Diego Santiago, Professional Brewer

MetricUSImperial (UK)

Batch volume (L)

Volume of wort at the end of the boil

Grain 1

Grain (kg)

Grain color (°L)

From the malt's label or spec sheet

Grain 2

Grain (kg)

Grain color (°L)

From the malt's label or spec sheet

Grain 3

Grain (kg)

Grain color (°L)

From the malt's label or spec sheet

Estimated beer color13.5SRM (26.5 EBC)

Malt color units24.7MCU

Results are estimates provided "as is," for informational and planning purposes only, without warranties of any kind. Check them before you rely on them: you are responsible for decisions about your beer and equipment, including pressure and carbonation levels, the pressure ratings of your kegs and fittings, and any alcohol content you declare. Use of this calculator is subject to our Terms and Conditions.

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How beer color is estimated

Each grain adds color in proportion to its color and weight. Adding them up over the batch volume gives the malt color units:

MCU = \frac{\sum C_i \times W_i}{V}

where $C_i$ is the color of each grain in °Lovibond, $W_i$ its weight in pounds and $V$ the batch volume in US gallons. The calculator converts metric weights and volumes for you.

MCU tracks the color of pale beers well but overstates darker ones, so the widely used Morey equation turns it into SRM:

SRM = 1.4922 \times MCU^{0.6859}

EBC is then about $1.97 \times SRM$ .

For example, 4.5 kg of pale malt at 2 °L, 0.4 kg of crystal malt at 60 °L and 0.1 kg of chocolate malt at 350 °L in 23 L give 24.7 MCU and a color of about 13.5 SRM (26.5 EBC): a copper to light brown beer.

Inside Foambyte, the recipe studio shows each recipe’s color with a preview and compares it with the style’s range.

Reference table

Beer color from malt color units (MCU, rows) with the Morey equation, in SRM and EBC
MCU	SRM	EBC
1	1.5	2.9
2	2.4	4.7
3	3.2	6.2
4	3.9	7.6
5	4.5	8.9
6	5.1	10.0
8	6.2	12.2
10	7.2	14.3
12	8.2	16.2
15	9.6	18.8
20	11.6	22.9
25	13.6	26.7
30	15.4	30.3
40	18.7	36.9
50	21.8	43.0
60	24.7	48.7

Frequently asked questions

What are malt color units (MCU)?

MCU is the color of each grain in degrees Lovibond times its weight in pounds, added up and divided by the batch volume in US gallons. It is a simple measure of how much color the grain bill carries, but it overstates the color of darker beers, so it is converted to SRM with the Morey equation.

Why does the estimate differ from my beer?

Color depends on more than the grain bill: boil length and vigor, kettle caramelization, oxidation and fermentation all change it. The grain color on the label is also an average for that lot. Treat the result as an estimate within a few SRM.

How accurate is it for very dark beers?

The Morey equation is commonly used up to about 50 SRM. Darker beers all look black in the glass, so the number matters less there.

What is the difference between SRM, EBC and Lovibond?

SRM and EBC both measure beer color; EBC is about twice the SRM value. Lovibond is the older scale still used for malt color, and is close to SRM for beer. The beer color converter converts between them.

Is the color preview exact?

No. Screens show color differently, and the look of a beer also depends on the glass, the light and its clarity. The preview gives a rough idea of the shade.