United KingdomTier 2
Dilution and chaptalization calculator
Lower ABV by adding water, or raise must gravity by adding sugar — one page, two directions.
Free·No sign-up·Last checked 2026-08-27
Mode
Water to add
L
Formula
Water to add = volume × (current ABV ÷ target ABV − 1)
Worked example. 19 L at 14% diluted to 12% → 19 × (14 ÷ 12 − 1) = 3.17 L of water.
Questions
Yes — water dilutes everything, not just alcohol, so body, flavour intensity and any residual sweetness drop along with ABV. Small adjustments are least noticeable.
Rules vary by country and even by wine region — some prohibit it entirely, others cap how much sugar can be added. UK home winemaking rules differ from EU wine-region regulations. This calculator does the math only; check local regulations before adding sugar to a wine must.