Understanding OG, FG, and ABV
Gravity readings and alcohol — what the numbers mean on a recipe card.
Original gravity (OG) is wort density before fermentation, relative to water (1.000). Higher OG means more dissolved sugar and usually a stronger beer.
Final gravity (FG) is density after fermentation. Yeast leaves some unfermentable sugars; FG above 1.000 is normal.
ABV on YeastCoast uses (OG − FG) × 131.25, rounded to one decimal. Estimated stats come from the bill; measured stats come from your brew log.
Reading cards honestly
If OG, FG, or ABV is missing, the recipe has not published that value — do not invent one. Reference stats (style targets) stay separate from calculated and measured values.