🍎 Cider Making Calculator
Estimate cider yield, juice output, sugar requirements, and bottling needs from your apples. Perfect for home cider makers planning their next batch.
Cider Calculator
Your Cider Estimate
How It Works
Our cider making calculator uses standard home cider making ratios based on apple type, cider style, and target alcohol content. These values are derived from established cidermaking references and extension service guidelines widely used by home cider makers and small-scale cidermakers.
Juice Yield by Apple Type
Apples are roughly 84% water, but actual juice yield depends on variety and pressing method. A good rule of thumb is that 1 bushel (42 lbs) of apples yields about 3–4 gallons of juice. Heirloom cider apples often have higher juice content and better sugar/acid balance than standard dessert apples.
Cider Making Formula
Cider Type Differences
Hard cider undergoes full alcoholic fermentation, converting most sugar to alcohol. Sweet cider is fresh pressed apple juice that is either pasteurized or kept refrigerated to prevent fermentation. Sparkling cider can be either alcoholic (carbonated hard cider) or non-alcoholic (carbonated apple juice), with carbonation added through secondary fermentation or forced carbonation.