Simple Syrup Ratio Calculator
Simple syrup is sugar dissolved in water, and the ratio sets its sweetness and body: 1:1 is the standard light syrup, 2:1 is a rich, thicker syrup that keeps longer. This calculator scales either style to any total yield you need. Enter the sugar and water parts of your ratio and the total syrup weight you want, and it returns the exact sugar and water weights in grams, the total yield, and the sugar content as a percentage. Working by weight is the most repeatable way to make consistent syrup for cocktails, coffee and baking.
Simple syrup formula
sugar fraction = sugar part / (sugar part + water part)
sugar = total * sugar fraction
water = total - sugar
sugar content % = sugar / total * 100
The ratio parts are relative, so 1:1 and 2:2 give the same syrup. Sugar content equals the sugar fraction expressed as a percent of the total.
Syrup style notes
- 1:1 sugar to water: standard light simple syrup, about 50 percent sugar.
- 2:1 sugar to water: rich syrup, about 67 percent sugar, sweeter and longer keeping.
- Measure by weight for repeatable results.
- Higher sugar content extends shelf life under refrigeration.
- Heat gently to dissolve; do not boil off water if you want the stated ratio.
Simple syrup: frequently asked questions
What ratio is simple syrup?
Standard simple syrup is a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water by weight or volume, giving a light, pourable syrup. Rich simple syrup is 2:1 sugar to water, which is sweeter, thicker and longer keeping. This calculator handles any ratio you enter so you can scale either style.
Should I measure by weight or volume?
By weight is more accurate and repeatable, because a cup of sugar and a cup of water are not the same mass. This calculator works in grams. If you prefer volume, note that 1:1 by weight and 1:1 by volume give slightly different syrups, so pick one method and stay consistent.
How much syrup will I get?
Roughly the sum of the sugar and water weights, since sugar dissolves into the water with little volume change in terms of mass. The calculator reports total syrup weight so you can size your bottle. The actual volume is a bit less than the combined volumes because sugar dissolves into the water.
How sweet is the result?
The calculator reports the sugar content as a percentage of total syrup weight. A 1:1 syrup is 50 percent sugar by weight; a 2:1 rich syrup is about 67 percent. Higher sugar content means a sweeter, more shelf-stable syrup.
How do I scale to a target yield?
Enter your sugar and water parts (the ratio) and the total syrup you want. The calculator splits that total into the correct sugar and water weights for your ratio, so you can make exactly the amount your recipe or bottle needs.
Official sources
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 17 June 2026. See our methodology.