Simple Syrup Calculator
Find the sugar needed for simple syrup.
Simple 1, rich 2
Results update as you type.
How it works
Simple syrup — sugar dissolved in water — sweetens cocktails, coffee, iced tea, and desserts, and this calculator finds the sugar you need for your chosen strength. You enter the amount of water and the sugar-to-water ratio, and it returns the sugar needed and the approximate yield. The two standard ratios are 1-to-1 (equal parts sugar and water), called simple or standard syrup, and 2-to-1 sugar to water, called rich simple syrup. Rich syrup is sweeter and more concentrated, so you use less of it, and it keeps longer in the fridge because the higher sugar content resists spoilage. A 1-to-1 syrup is lighter and dissolves easily, making it the go-to for most cocktails and drinks. The calculator treats water by volume in milliliters as roughly equal grams, and computes the yield as a bit more than the water volume since the dissolved sugar adds volume. To make it, combine the sugar and water and heat gently while stirring until the sugar fully dissolves, or shake cold for a 1-to-1 batch. Store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Enter your water amount and ratio to find the sugar needed.
Sugar = water × sugar ratio (by weight, 1 ml water ≈ 1 g)
Simple syrup is sugar dissolved in water in a set ratio. Multiplying the water amount by the sugar ratio gives the sugar needed by weight, treating one milliliter of water as one gram. The yield is a bit more than the water volume because the dissolved sugar adds volume.
Source:Culinary ratios
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter water.
- 2
Adjust the options
Adjust sugar ratio (sugar : water) if they apply — sensible defaults are already set.
- 3
Read your result
Sugar needed updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ratio for simple syrup?
Standard simple syrup uses a 1-to-1 ratio of sugar to water by weight or volume, while rich simple syrup uses 2-to-1 sugar to water for a sweeter, more concentrated syrup. The 1-to-1 version is lighter and most common for cocktails, while rich syrup adds more sweetness with less volume and lasts longer.
What is the difference between simple and rich syrup?
Simple syrup (1-to-1) is lighter and dissolves easily, ideal for most drinks. Rich simple syrup (2-to-1 sugar to water) is sweeter and thicker, so you use less to reach the same sweetness, and its higher sugar concentration helps it keep longer in the fridge. Choose based on how sweet and concentrated you want your syrup.
How do you make simple syrup?
Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan and heat gently, stirring, until the sugar fully dissolves and the liquid is clear; do not boil hard. Let it cool, then store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. For a quick 1-to-1 batch, you can also shake sugar and room-temperature water in a jar until dissolved without heating.
How long does simple syrup last?
Stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator, a 1-to-1 simple syrup typically keeps for about three to four weeks, while richer 2-to-1 syrup lasts longer, often up to six months, because the higher sugar concentration inhibits spoilage. Discard any syrup that becomes cloudy or develops off smells, and keep it refrigerated to maximize shelf life.
Why is the yield more than the water amount?
When sugar dissolves in water, it adds to the total volume rather than disappearing, so the finished syrup measures more than the water you started with. The calculator estimates this by adding the volume the dissolved sugar contributes. That is why 240 milliliters of water plus sugar yields noticeably more than 240 milliliters of finished syrup.