Water to Add: 55% → 46% ABV
Standard volume method. Verify the final strength with a hydrometer before bottling.
Per 1 Litre
196mL water
Per 750 mL bottle
147mL water
Per 1 US gallon
741mL water
Final volume / litre
1196mL
water to add = volume × (current ABV − target ABV) ÷ target ABV
= 1000 × (55 − 46) ÷ 46 = 196 mL per litre
Open the interactive ABV Dilution Calculator →
= 1000 × (55 − 46) ÷ 46 = 196 mL per litre
About this dilution
55% is a high-strength spirit before reduction, while 46% is a popular non-chill-filtered bottling strength favoured by craft distillers. Bringing 55% down to 46% means adding roughly 196 mL of water for every litre of spirit, increasing the batch to about 1196 mL.
For casual reduction the standard volume method above is accurate enough. When bottling at an exact legal strength, switch to OIML Precise mode in the calculator, which corrects for the slight volume contraction that occurs when ethanol and water mix.
Verify before bottling: a calibrated alcoholmeter is the only way to confirm you have hit 46% ABV. Measure at 20°C.
View on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Common questions
How much water do I add to dilute 55% ABV to 46%?
Add roughly 196 mL of water to each litre of 55% spirit to reach 46% ABV. The formula is water to add = volume times (current ABV minus target ABV) divided by target ABV.
Why should I verify the result with a hydrometer?
Ethanol and water contract slightly when mixed, so the real strength can sit just under the calculated figure. Always confirm with a calibrated alcoholmeter at 20°C before bottling.
More Distilling Calculators
Dilution Tables Active
Water-to-add charts for common ABV reductions
ABV Dilution Active
How much water to add to hit your target ABV
Sugar Wash Active
Sugar and water ratios for your target ABV
Fermentation ABV Active
Calculate ABV from original and final gravity
Spirit Blending Active
Blend two batches to a target ABV
Bottle Yield Active
How many bottles your batch will fill
Cuts Calculator Active
Estimate heads, hearts, and tails volumes
ABV Temp Correction New
Correct hydrometer readings for sample temperature
Proof Converter Active
Convert between US proof, UK proof and ABV
Vapor Temp Active
Still thermometer reading to distillate ABV
Distillation Simulator Active
Animated pot still run with ABV and cuts curves
Yeast Nutrients Active
DAP, Fermaid-K and Fermaid-O dosing
Gin Botanicals Active
Scale gin botanical recipes to any batch size
Grain Bill Active
OG, ABV & strike temp from your mash bill
Dilution Chart Active
Water-to-add reference table for any ABV
Refractometer New
Brix to ABV, SG, and wort correction
Distilling Yield New
Estimate spirit yield and bottle count
Jar Planner New
Jar-by-jar run schedule with cut points
Column Still Simulator New
Animated column still run with plates and reflux
Mash Log New
Save and track every grain, sugar or fruit batch
Distillation Log New
Log every still run with cuts, ABV and notes