Water to Add: 60% → 50% ABV
Standard volume method. Verify the final strength with a hydrometer before bottling.
Per 1 Litre
200mL water
Per 750 mL bottle
150mL water
Per 1 US gallon
757mL water
Final volume / litre
1200mL
water to add = volume × (current ABV − target ABV) ÷ target ABV
= 1000 × (60 − 50) ÷ 50 = 200 mL per litre
Open the interactive ABV Dilution Calculator →
= 1000 × (60 − 50) ÷ 50 = 200 mL per litre
About this dilution
60% sits in the high-strength range often used before final reduction, while 50% (100 US proof) is the classic bottled-in-bond and overproof reference point. Bringing 60% down to 50% means adding roughly 200 mL of water for every litre of spirit, increasing the batch to about 1200 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 50% ABV. Measure at 20°C.
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Common questions
How much water do I add to dilute 60% ABV to 50%?
Add roughly 200 mL of water to each litre of 60% spirit to reach 50% 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.
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