Dilution Reference

Diluting 75% ABV to 57.5% ABV

How much water to add to bring 75% spirit down to 57.5% ABV — with worked examples and the formula.

Water to Add: 75% → 57.5% ABV

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

Per 1 Litre
304mL water
Per 750 mL bottle
228mL water
Per 1 US gallon
1152mL water
Final volume / litre
1304mL
water to add = volume × (current ABV − target ABV) ÷ target ABV
= 1000 × (75 − 57.5) ÷ 57.5 = 304 mL per litre
Open the interactive ABV Dilution Calculator →

About this dilution

75% is near the practical ceiling for many home column stills, while 57.5% is navy strength, the traditional gunpowder-proof benchmark. Bringing 75% down to 57.5% means adding roughly 304 mL of water for every litre of spirit, increasing the batch to about 1304 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 57.5% ABV. Measure at 20°C.

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Common questions

How much water do I add to dilute 75% ABV to 57.5%?

Add roughly 304 mL of water to each litre of 75% spirit to reach 57.5% 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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