Dilution Reference

Diluting 65% ABV to 46% ABV

How much water to add to bring 65% spirit down to 46% ABV — with worked examples and the formula.

Water to Add: 65% → 46% ABV

Standard volume method. Verify the final strength with a hydrometer before bottling.

Per 1 Litre
413mL water
Per 750 mL bottle
310mL water
Per 1 US gallon
1564mL water
Final volume / litre
1413mL
water to add = volume × (current ABV − target ABV) ÷ target ABV
= 1000 × (65 − 46) ÷ 46 = 413 mL per litre
Open the interactive ABV Dilution Calculator →

About this dilution

65% is a common off-the-still spirit strength for many pot-still runs, while 46% is a popular non-chill-filtered bottling strength favoured by craft distillers. Bringing 65% down to 46% means adding roughly 413 mL of water for every litre of spirit, increasing the batch to about 1413 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.

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Common questions

How much water do I add to dilute 65% ABV to 46%?

Add roughly 413 mL of water to each litre of 65% 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.
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