I’ve done my testing over the years and consulted plenty of research to develop my approach, but truthfully, the perfect brine is personal. What tastes amazing to one person might be too salty or too mild for another.
That’s why many meat brine calculators offer adjustable options, so you can customize the saltiness to fit your taste buds. I built this calculator to help manage the salt-to-water ratio, and right now, it’s the top brine calculator worldwide.
Brine Calculator
Enter the weight of your meat in pounds:
Enter the desired brine concentration in %:
Brine is typically composed of water and salt, with optional ingredients such as sugar, herbs, and spices to enhance flavor. The basic brine ratio is generally 1 cup of salt to 1 gallon of water, but this can vary based on personal preference and the type of meat being brined.
Basic Brine Recipe
- Water: 1 gallon
- Salt: 1 cup (kosher salt is preferred)
- Sugar: 1/2 cup (optional, for sweetness)
- Additional Flavorings: Herbs, spices, garlic, etc. (to taste)

Brine Calculation Process
To calculate the amount of brine needed for your specific meat, follow these steps:
Determine the Meat Weight: Weigh the meat you plan to brine.
Choose Your Brine Ratio: Decide on the salt concentration you prefer. A common range is 5% to 10% salt by weight.
Calculate the Amount of Brine Needed:
- 5% brine: Multiply the meat’s weight by 0.05 to find the salt you need.
- 10% brine: Multiply the weight of the meat by 0.10 for the total weight of salt.
Calculate the Water Volume:
- For every cup of salt, use 1 gallon of water. Adjust the water volume based on the amount of salt calculated.

Using this meat brine calculator, you can easily determine the right brine solution for your meat, ensuring delicious and juicy results every time.