Beer Color (SRM) Calculator
Calculate the expected SRM color of your homebrew from the grain bill.
Predict whether your beer will be pale gold, amber, or black using the Morey equation.
Beer color is measured using the SRM (Standard Reference Method) scale in the US and the EBC (European Brewery Convention) scale in Europe. Both measure the absorbance of light through beer to quantify color intensity.
Conversion between scales:
EBC = SRM × 1.97
SRM = EBC / 1.97
Malt Color Unit (MCU) formula:
MCU = (Weight of Malt in lbs × Color of Malt in °L) / Volume in gallons
Morey Equation (most accurate SRM estimate from MCU):
SRM = 1.4922 × MCU^0.6859
Worked example: A 5-gallon batch using:
- 8 lbs Pale Malt (2°L) → MCU contribution: (8 × 2) / 5 = 3.2
- 1 lb Crystal 60 (60°L) → MCU contribution: (1 × 60) / 5 = 12.0
- 0.5 lb Chocolate Malt (350°L) → MCU contribution: (0.5 × 350) / 5 = 35.0
- Total MCU = 50.2
- SRM = 1.4922 × 50.2^0.6859 ≈ 28 → Dark amber / brown ale
SRM color reference guide:
| SRM | Color Description | Example Styles |
|---|---|---|
| 2–4 | Very pale straw | Light lager, Pilsner |
| 5–8 | Golden | Blonde ale, Kölsch |
| 9–14 | Amber | Pale ale, Märzen |
| 15–22 | Copper/Brown | Amber ale, Brown ale |
| 23–30 | Dark brown | Porter, Dunkel |
| 31–40 | Very dark | Stout, Schwarzbier |
| 40+ | Opaque black | Imperial stout, Black IPA |
Lovibond (°L): The unit used to measure grain color. Common grains range from 2°L (base malt) to 500°L (black patent malt). EBC grain color = °L × 1.97.