THC Butter Calculator
Calculate potency, estimate dosage, and perfect your infusions.
Total amount of flower used in the infusion (e.g., 7g = 1/4 oz).
Estimated THC content of your strain (Average is ~15-20%).
1 stick = 1/2 cup = 113 grams.
How many cookies, brownies, or doses will you make?
Formula Used: Weight(g) × 1000 × (THC% / 100) × 0.877 (Decarb) × 0.8 (Infusion Eff.)
Potency Loss Analysis
Visualizing where THC is lost during the decarboxylation and infusion process.
Dosing Breakdown
| Measurement Unit | Volume Description | Estimated THC |
|---|
What is a THC Butter Calculator?
A THC butter calculator is a specialized tool designed for home cooks and cannabis enthusiasts to estimate the potency of their homemade infused edibles. Unlike laboratory testing, which gives exact figures, a calculator uses mathematical formulas based on the weight of the flower, its THC percentage, and the volume of fat (butter or oil) used.
Accurate dosing is critical when making edibles. Consuming too much THC can lead to uncomfortable experiences, while too little can result in ineffective medication. This tool helps bridge the gap between guesswork and precision, allowing users to adjust their recipes to achieve a specific milligram (mg) dosage per serving.
Common misconceptions include assuming 100% of the THC in the flower transfers to the butter. in reality, significant loss occurs during decarboxylation (heating) and the infusion process itself. This calculator accounts for these inevitable efficiency losses.
THC Butter Formula and Mathematical Explanation
To determine the final potency of your cannabutter, we use a multi-step formula that accounts for chemical changes and extraction efficiency. The core calculation follows this logic:
Total mg = Weight(g) × 1000 × (THC% ÷ 100) × 0.877 × Efficiency_Factor
Step-by-Step Derivation
- Convert Grams to Milligrams: We multiply the flower weight by 1000.
- Calculate Raw THC: We apply the THC percentage (e.g., 20% of 1000mg = 200mg THCa).
- Decarboxylation Factor (0.877): Raw cannabis contains THCa, not THC. Heating converts THCa to THC, but the molecule loses mass (CO2) in the process. The ratio of molecular weights dictates that only 87.7% of the mass remains.
- Infusion Efficiency (~80%): Home infusion is rarely perfect. Some cannabinoids remain trapped in the plant material or degrade. We apply a standard 80% efficiency rate for butter/oil infusions.
Variables Table
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (W) | Amount of cannabis flower | Grams (g) | 3.5g – 28g |
| THC % (P) | Potency of raw material | Percentage | 10% – 25% |
| Decarb Rate | Conversion of THCa to THC | Factor | 0.877 (Constant) |
| Efficiency | Extraction success rate | Factor | 0.60 – 0.85 |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: The “Quarter Ounce” Batch
Jane buys a quarter ounce (7 grams) of high-quality flower tested at 20% THC. She wants to make a batch of 24 cookies using 2 sticks of butter.
- Inputs: 7g flower, 20% THC, 2 sticks butter, 24 servings.
- Raw Potential: 7,000mg × 0.20 = 1,400mg THCa.
- After Decarb: 1,400mg × 0.877 = 1,227.8mg THC.
- After Infusion (80% eff): 1,227.8mg × 0.80 = 982mg Total Batch THC.
- Result: Each cookie contains approximately 41mg THC. This is a very strong dose for most users.
Example 2: Mild Microdosing Oil
Mark wants to make mild brownies. He uses 3.5 grams of mid-grade flower (12% THC) and infuses it into 1 cup (2 sticks) of oil, cutting the brownies into 36 pieces.
- Inputs: 3.5g flower, 12% THC, 2 sticks butter, 36 servings.
- Raw Potential: 3,500mg × 0.12 = 420mg THCa.
- After Decarb: 420mg × 0.877 = 368mg THC.
- After Infusion: 368mg × 0.80 = 295mg Total Batch THC.
- Result: Each brownie contains roughly 8mg THC. This is a standard “starter” dose.
How to Use This THC Butter Calculator
Follow these steps to ensure you get the most accurate results from the tool:
- Enter Flower Weight: Input the total amount of cannabis you are using in grams. If you know ounces, convert them (1 oz = 28g).
- Input THC Percentage: If you bought from a dispensary, check the label. If it’s homegrown or unknown, 15% is a safe average estimate for modern cannabis.
- Specify Fat Amount: Enter the amount of butter or oil in “sticks” (1 stick = 1/2 cup).
- Set Servings: Enter the final number of portions you intend to bake or cook.
- Analyze Results: Check the “Per Serving” result to see if the dose fits your tolerance level. Adjust the number of servings or flower amount to reach your target dose.
Key Factors That Affect THC Butter Results
While this calculator provides a mathematical estimate, several physical factors influence the actual chemical outcome:
1. Decarboxylation Time and Temperature
Heating the cannabis before infusing is mandatory to activate the psychoactive components. If the temperature is too low, conversion is incomplete. If too high (>250°F), THC degrades into CBN, which induces sleepiness rather than a high.
2. Fat Saturation Levels
THC is lipophilic (fat-loving). Fats with higher saturated fat content (like coconut oil or clarified butter/ghee) generally have a higher extraction efficiency than oils with low saturated fat (like olive oil).
3. Use of Lecithin
Adding soy or sunflower lecithin can act as an emulsifier, potentially increasing the bioavailability of the THC, making the effects feel stronger even if the mg count is the same.
4. Filtration Losses
When straining the plant material from the butter, some fat (and therefore THC) remains trapped in the wet leaves. Squeezing heavily extracts more oil but also more chlorophyll (bad taste).
5. Strain Variability
Even within the same plant, the top colas may have 22% THC while lower buds have 15%. This natural variance means your calculator result is always an estimate.
6. Infusion Duration
Longer infusions don’t always mean stronger butter. After 2-3 hours, most cannabinoids are extracted. Extending beyond 4-6 hours often just increases chlorophyll and plant taste without adding significant potency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is a standard dose for edibles?
For beginners, 2.5mg to 5mg is recommended. Standard recreational doses often range from 10mg to 20mg. High tolerance users may prefer 50mg+. Always start low and go slow.
2. Why multiply by 0.877?
This is the ratio of the molecular mass of THC (314.47 g/mol) to THCa (358.48 g/mol). When the carboxyl group (COOH) is removed as CO2 gas, you lose roughly 12.3% of the weight.
3. Can I use this for coconut oil?
Yes. The math is identical regarding THC content. However, measuring coconut oil by “sticks” requires conversion (1 stick volume = 1/2 cup).
4. What if I don’t know my THC percentage?
If you are unsure, use conservative estimates: 10% for low-grade/trim, 15% for average buds, and 20%+ for top-shelf indoor flower. It is better to overestimate potency than to underestimate it.
5. Does the type of butter matter?
Yes. Clarified butter (Ghee) is better than regular salted butter because it lacks milk solids and water, allowing it to hold slightly more cannabinoids and preventing burning during long heating periods.
6. How long does the butter last?
Infused butter lasts as long as regular butter—about a month in the fridge or up to 6 months in the freezer. Ensure it is sealed tightly to prevent odor absorption.
7. Is the calculation different for CBD?
The math is nearly identical (CBDa to CBD conversion is also ~0.877), but you would input the CBD percentage of your flower instead of THC.
8. Why did my edibles feel stronger than the calculator said?
Bioavailability varies by person. Factors like metabolism, what you ate beforehand, and individual liver enzyme function can make 10mg feel like 30mg to different people.
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Edible Safety & Overdose Guide
What to do if you consume too much and how to dose responsibly.
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Step-by-step instructions for preparing the perfect fat base for extraction.
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Learn how terpenes affect the “entourage effect” of your homemade edibles.