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Salt & Brine Calculator

Set your water volume and brine percentage to get weights you can measure accurately.

200 g salt
Based on 4 L water at a 5% brine. Measure salt by weight.
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Methodology

How we calculate this

Methodology reviewed September 2026

This calculator uses a water-weight convention: one liter of water is treated as approximately 1,000 grams.

The math

  • Water weight = liters × 1,000
  • Salt weight = water weight × salt percentage
  • Sugar weight = water weight × sugar percentage

Worked example

A 5% brine made with 2 liters of water uses 2,000 × 0.05 = 100 g salt.

Frequently asked questions

Helpful answers

A recipe calls for 1 cup of Diamond Crystal kosher salt. How do I substitute fine sea salt?

Substitute by weight, not volume, because fine salt packs much more densely. One cup of Diamond Crystal kosher salt is commonly about 135 grams, so weigh about 135 grams of fine sea salt rather than using a full cup.

How do I calculate a 5% brine for 2 liters of water?

Using a water-weight method, 2 liters of water weighs about 2,000 grams, so 5% equals 100 grams of salt. Brine conventions differ, so stay consistent with the recipe's stated method.

Do I need to rinse meat after a wet brine?

Usually not. Drain and pat it thoroughly dry. Rinsing raw meat can spread contaminated droplets around the sink and nearby surfaces.

A practical starting point

Use the result as a planning estimate, then trust the ingredients, your thermometer, and the food in front of you. This tool is designed to make the first calculation easier—not to replace good kitchen judgment.

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Add this utility to a cooking blog or resource page.

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