About this tool
The Keg Force Carbonation PSI Calculator tells you what regulator pressure to set to carbonate a kegged beer to a target CO₂ level at a chosen serving temperature. Carbonation depends on both pressure and temperature: cold beer holds more CO₂, so the same pressure gives more carbonation at 38 °F than at 50 °F. Enter the temperature and your target CO₂ in volumes (or pick a beer-style preset), and the tool returns the PSI to dial in. All math runs locally in your browser.
The tool uses the standard Henry's-law regression CO₂_volumes = (P_gauge + 14.695) × (0.01821 + 0.09011·e^(−(T−32)/43.11)) − 0.003342, with pressure in psi gauge and temperature in °F. Solving for pressure gives P_gauge = (CO₂_target + 0.003342) / (0.01821 + 0.09011·e^(−(T−32)/43.11)) − 14.695. Celsius inputs are converted with F = C × 9/5 + 32. A reverse mode takes a PSI you already have set and reports the equilibrium CO₂ volumes it will reach at that temperature. Results also convert PSI to bar and kPa.
As a worked example, carbonating to 2.5 volumes at 40 °F needs about 12 psi; the same 2.5 volumes at a warmer 50 °F needs closer to 15 psi. Typical style targets are British ales ~1.9, American ales ~2.4, lagers ~2.5, Belgians ~3.0, and wheat beers ~3.5 volumes. Set the pressure, leave the keg at serving temperature for about a week to reach equilibrium (or use the shake method faster), and re-check.