Reference
Keg Carbonation Chart: CO2 Pressure (PSI) by Temperature
Quick answer
At 38 F, about 11.2 psi holds 2.5 volumes of CO2, the usual target for American ales; 8.1 psi gives a softer 2.2 volumes and 13.3 psi a livelier 2.7. Warmer beer needs more pressure to hold the same carbonation: 2.5 volumes at 45 F takes about 14.9 psi. For a kegerator serving draft beer at 38 F, 10 to 12 psi on the regulator is the usual setting; cider is normally served at 2.5 to 3.0 volumes, so the same keg CO2 pressure chart applies.
This section holds 24 worked pages. Every figure comes from the same formula library the calculators use, and each page states whether its numbers rest on a published standard or on brewing convention.
Every page below is worked out from the published equations in this site's formula library, not copied from another calculator. Where a figure rests on brewing convention rather than a published standard, the page says so on the row itself.
| Serving temp | 2.2 vol | 2.5 vol | 2.7 vol | 3.0 vol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 F | 6.3 psi | 9.2 psi | 11.2 psi | 14.1 psi |
| 36 F | 7.2 psi | 10.2 psi | 12.3 psi | 15.3 psi |
| 38 F | 8.1 psi | 11.2 psi | 13.3 psi | 16.5 psi |
| 40 F | 9 psi | 12.3 psi | 14.4 psi | 17.7 psi |
| 42 F | 10 psi | 13.3 psi | 15.5 psi | 18.9 psi |
| 45 F | 11.4 psi | 14.9 psi | 17.2 psi | 20.7 psi |
All 24 pages in this section
- Keg pressure for 2 volumes of CO2 at 34F The regulator setting that holds 2 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 34F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.2 volumes of CO2 at 34F The regulator setting that holds 2.2 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 34F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.4 volumes of CO2 at 34F The regulator setting that holds 2.4 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 34F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.6 volumes of CO2 at 34F The regulator setting that holds 2.6 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 34F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2 volumes of CO2 at 36F The regulator setting that holds 2 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 36F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.2 volumes of CO2 at 36F The regulator setting that holds 2.2 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 36F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.4 volumes of CO2 at 36F The regulator setting that holds 2.4 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 36F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.6 volumes of CO2 at 36F The regulator setting that holds 2.6 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 36F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2 volumes of CO2 at 38F The regulator setting that holds 2 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 38F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.2 volumes of CO2 at 38F The regulator setting that holds 2.2 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 38F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.4 volumes of CO2 at 38F The regulator setting that holds 2.4 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 38F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.6 volumes of CO2 at 38F The regulator setting that holds 2.6 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 38F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2 volumes of CO2 at 40F The regulator setting that holds 2 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 40F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.2 volumes of CO2 at 40F The regulator setting that holds 2.2 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 40F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.4 volumes of CO2 at 40F The regulator setting that holds 2.4 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 40F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.6 volumes of CO2 at 40F The regulator setting that holds 2.6 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 40F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2 volumes of CO2 at 42F The regulator setting that holds 2 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 42F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.2 volumes of CO2 at 42F The regulator setting that holds 2.2 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 42F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.4 volumes of CO2 at 42F The regulator setting that holds 2.4 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 42F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.6 volumes of CO2 at 42F The regulator setting that holds 2.6 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 42F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2 volumes of CO2 at 44F The regulator setting that holds 2 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 44F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.2 volumes of CO2 at 44F The regulator setting that holds 2.2 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 44F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.4 volumes of CO2 at 44F The regulator setting that holds 2.4 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 44F, from the published solubility relationship.
- Keg pressure for 2.6 volumes of CO2 at 44F The regulator setting that holds 2.6 volumes of CO2 in a keg served at 44F, from the published solubility relationship.
Related on BrewGearCalc
Frequently asked questions
- What CO2 pressure should a keg be at?
- For most ales served at 38 F, 10 to 12 psi on the regulator holds about 2.4 to 2.6 volumes of CO2, which is the ordinary American carbonation level. Lower the pressure to 8 to 9 psi for a softer British-style pour or raise it to 14 to 16 psi for a wheat beer or Belgian style, and read the exact figure for your temperature off the chart above. These figures come from the standard CO2 solubility equation, not from a brand.
- What draft beer temperature and pressure should a kegerator run at?
- Set the kegerator to 36 to 40 F, with 38 F the common choice, and the regulator to 10 to 12 psi for a 5 foot run of 3/16 inch beer line. Colder beer holds CO2 more easily, so the pressure that balances at 38 F pours foamy at 45 F. If the pour is all foam at the right pressure, the line is too short or the beer too warm; if it is flat, the beer sat at a higher temperature than the regulator setting assumes.
- Does this keg carbonation chart work for cider?
- Yes. Cider is usually served at 2.5 to 3.0 volumes of CO2, so read the 2.5 or 3.0 volume column at your serving temperature: at 38 F that is roughly 12 to 16 psi. The CO2 solubility equation does not care what the liquid is, only its temperature and the volumes you want, though a sweet cider that is not fully fermented must be kept cold so it does not keep carbonating on its own.
- What pressure should I set on my kegerator?
- It depends on serving temperature and the carbonation level you want, which is why there is a table rather than a single number. As a starting point, around 10 to 12 psi holds roughly 2.4 volumes of CO2 at typical kegerator temperatures near 38F. Set the regulator and leave the gas connected so the beer reaches equilibrium and stays there.
- Why did my carbonation change without me touching the regulator?
- Almost always a temperature change. CO2 solubility depends strongly on temperature, so a kegerator that drifts warmer will push CO2 out of solution and the beer will taste flatter at the same regulator setting. Fix the temperature first, and only then adjust pressure.
Researched from published brewing formulas, manufacturer specifications and verified owner reviews. This is general guidance, not professional advice.
