Reference
Yeast pitch rate and packs needed
Quick answer
Cells required for a batch, how many packs that is, and whether a starter is genuinely needed.
This section holds 15 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.
All 15 pages in this section
- Yeast pitch rate for 5 gallons at OG 1.040 Cells needed, packs required and whether a starter is warranted for a 5 gallon batch at an original gravity of 1.040.
- Yeast pitch rate for 10 gallons at OG 1.040 Cells needed, packs required and whether a starter is warranted for a 10 gallon batch at an original gravity of 1.040.
- Yeast pitch rate for 5 gallons at OG 1.050 Cells needed, packs required and whether a starter is warranted for a 5 gallon batch at an original gravity of 1.050.
- Yeast pitch rate for 10 gallons at OG 1.050 Cells needed, packs required and whether a starter is warranted for a 10 gallon batch at an original gravity of 1.050.
- Yeast pitch rate for 5 gallons at OG 1.060 Cells needed, packs required and whether a starter is warranted for a 5 gallon batch at an original gravity of 1.060.
- Yeast pitch rate for 10 gallons at OG 1.060 Cells needed, packs required and whether a starter is warranted for a 10 gallon batch at an original gravity of 1.060.
- Yeast pitch rate for 5 gallons at OG 1.070 Cells needed, packs required and whether a starter is warranted for a 5 gallon batch at an original gravity of 1.070.
- Yeast pitch rate for 10 gallons at OG 1.070 Cells needed, packs required and whether a starter is warranted for a 10 gallon batch at an original gravity of 1.070.
- Yeast pitch rate for 5 gallons at OG 1.080 Cells needed, packs required and whether a starter is warranted for a 5 gallon batch at an original gravity of 1.080.
- Yeast pitch rate for 10 gallons at OG 1.080 Cells needed, packs required and whether a starter is warranted for a 10 gallon batch at an original gravity of 1.080.
- Pitching liquid yeast that is 1 month old How many packs of 1 month old liquid yeast a 5 gallon batch at 1.055 needs once viability decline is accounted for.
- Pitching liquid yeast that is 2 months old How many packs of 2 month old liquid yeast a 5 gallon batch at 1.055 needs once viability decline is accounted for.
- Pitching liquid yeast that is 3 months old How many packs of 3 month old liquid yeast a 5 gallon batch at 1.055 needs once viability decline is accounted for.
- Pitching liquid yeast that is 4 months old How many packs of 4 month old liquid yeast a 5 gallon batch at 1.055 needs once viability decline is accounted for.
- Pitching liquid yeast that is 6 months old How many packs of 6 month old liquid yeast a 5 gallon batch at 1.055 needs once viability decline is accounted for.
Related on BrewGearCalc
Frequently asked questions
- Is the standard pitch rate a published standard?
- No. The 0.75 million cells per millilitre per degree Plato ale rate, and the doubled rate for lagers, are conventions. They are widely repeated and they work, but no governing document defines them. Manufacturer cell counts per pack are genuine published specifications, which is why this site labels the two differently.
- When do I actually need a starter?
- When the cells you have fall short of the cells the batch needs. That happens with higher gravity worts, larger batches, lagers, and liquid yeast that has aged in storage. Dry yeast sidesteps the question for most ordinary strength ales, because a sachet carries enough viable cells to pitch directly.
Researched from published brewing formulas, manufacturer specifications and verified owner reviews. This is general guidance, not professional advice.