Beer Colour (SRM / EBC) Calculator
Estimate beer colour in SRM and EBC from your grain bill, with a colour swatch and converter.
Grain bill
SRM -
EBC-
SRM ↔ EBC converter
SRM → EBC-
EBC → SRM-
How it works
Each malt darkens the wort in proportion to its colour rating and its share of the grain bill. Malt Colour Units add those contributions per gallon; the Morey equation then converts MCU to SRM, flattening the curve so a stack of dark malts does not over-predict the colour.
MCU = Σ(°L × weight_lb) / volume_gal
SRM = 1.4922 × MCU^0.6859
EBC = 1.97 × SRM
Sources: Morey equation via Brewer's Friend; BrewWiki - Estimating Color.
The Morey model is most reliable below about 30 SRM. The swatch is an approximation of the in-glass colour.
Frequently asked questions
- How is beer colour (SRM) estimated from the grain bill?
- First compute Malt Colour Units (MCU): sum each grain’s colour in degrees Lovibond times its weight in pounds, divided by the batch volume in gallons. Then apply the Morey equation, which curves MCU into SRM because colour does not add linearly at higher values.
- What is the difference between SRM and EBC?
- They are two scales for the same thing - beer colour. SRM (Standard Reference Method) is common in the US; EBC (European Brewery Convention) is used in Europe. They convert with EBC = 1.97 × SRM, so a 10 SRM amber is about 19.7 EBC.
- Why is the predicted colour only approximate?
- The Morey equation is a good model up to roughly 30 SRM but real colour also depends on boil intensity, Maillard reactions, pH and how the malt was kilned. Treat the swatch as a planning guide, not an exact match to the finished beer.