1. What is the Plato Scale?

The Plato scale is a measurement of the concentration of dissolved solids (mainly sugars) in a wort or beer, expressed as a percentage by weight. It's commonly used in brewing as an alternative to specific gravity measurements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple Plato formula:

Where:

• \( OG \) — Original gravity (specific gravity)
• 1000 — Conversion factor
• 4 — Approximate factor relating SG to sugar content

Explanation: This formula provides a quick approximation of degrees Plato from specific gravity measurements.

3. Importance of Plato Measurement

Details: Plato measurements are crucial in brewing for determining wort strength, predicting alcohol content, and ensuring consistency between batches.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter original gravity as a specific gravity value (e.g., 1.050). The value must be 1.000 or higher to be valid.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between Plato and specific gravity?
A: Plato measures sugar concentration by weight percentage, while specific gravity measures liquid density relative to water.

Q2: How accurate is this conversion?
A: This is a simplified approximation. For precise conversions, more complex formulas or lookup tables are used.

Q3: What is a typical Plato range for beer?
A: Most beers range from 8-20°P, with light lagers at the lower end and strong ales at the higher end.

Q4: Can this be used for final gravity?
A: The formula works similarly for FG, but the interpretation differs since residual sugars are present.

Q5: Why do brewers use Plato?
A: Plato provides a more linear measurement of fermentable material, making calculations easier for large-scale production.