Levo Infusion Calculator
Accurately determine the potency and dosage of your homemade botanical infusions. This powerful levo infusion calculator helps you understand the strength of every drop.
Enter the total weight of your dry botanical material.
%
Enter the active compound percentage (e.g., THC, CBD) of your herb.
Enter the volume of your carrier liquid (oil, butter, glycerin).
%
Accounts for material loss. Typical efficiency is 80-90%.
Chart: Potential vs. Actual Infused Active Compound (mg)
What is a Levo Infusion Calculator?
A levo infusion calculator is a specialized tool designed to estimate the potency of homemade botanical infusions, such as infused oils, butters, tinctures, and honeys. Whether you’re using a LĒVO machine or traditional methods (stovetop, crockpot), this calculator helps you move from guesswork to a data-driven understanding of your creations. By inputting the amount and potency of your herb, along with the volume of your carrier liquid, it calculates the total milligrams (mg) of active compounds (like THC or CBD) and the concentration per serving.
This is crucial for anyone who wants to ensure consistent, predictable, and safe results. Without a levo infusion calculator, it’s nearly impossible to know the dosage of your edibles, leading to potentially undesirable experiences. It’s an essential tool for culinary enthusiasts, herbalists, and medical patients alike.
Levo Infusion Formula and Explanation
The core of the levo infusion calculator relies on a straightforward formula that accounts for starting material, potency, liquid volume, and extraction efficiency. Understanding this formula demystifies the entire infusion process.
Primary Formula:
Total Infused MG = (Herb Weight in grams × (Herb Potency % / 100) × 1000) × (Efficiency % / 100)
Potency per ML = Total Infused MG / Liquid Volume in ml
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herb Weight | The mass of the dry botanical material used for the infusion. | grams (g) | 3 – 28 g |
| Herb Potency | The percentage of the active compound in the starting material. | % | 10% – 30% |
| Liquid Volume | The total volume of the carrier (oil, butter, alcohol) being infused. | milliliters (ml) | 120 – 750 ml |
| Infusion Efficiency | The percentage of active compounds successfully extracted from the plant into the liquid. This is not 100%. | % | 80% – 95% |
The calculation first determines the total possible milligrams of active compound in your dry herb. It then adjusts this number based on the infusion efficiency, as some material is always left behind. Finally, it divides the actual infused amount by the total volume of your liquid to give you a precise potency per milliliter, which can then be converted to potency per teaspoon or tablespoon. For more on this, check out our guide on the best oils for infusion.
Practical Examples
Example 1: Standard Potency Coconut Oil
Let’s say you want to make a standard batch of infused coconut oil for baking.
- Inputs:
- Amount of Herb: 7 grams
- Herb Potency: 18%
- Amount of Liquid: 1 Cup of coconut oil
- Infusion Efficiency: 90%
- Using the levo infusion calculator:
- Total Potential Active Compound: 7g * 0.18 * 1000 = 1260 mg
- Total Infused Compound (at 90% efficiency): 1260 mg * 0.90 = 1134 mg
- Total Liquid Volume: 1 Cup = 236.59 ml
- Results:
- Potency per ml: 1134 mg / 236.59 ml = 4.79 mg/ml
- Potency per tbsp (14.79 ml): 4.79 * 14.79 = 70.84 mg/tbsp
Example 2: High Potency Tincture
Now, imagine you’re creating a more concentrated tincture for sublingual use.
- Inputs:
- Amount of Herb: 14 grams (approx. 0.5 oz)
- Herb Potency: 25%
- Amount of Liquid: 4 fl oz of high-proof alcohol
- Infusion Efficiency: 95% (alcohol is a very efficient solvent)
- Using the levo infusion calculator:
- Total Potential Active Compound: 14g * 0.25 * 1000 = 3500 mg
- Total Infused Compound (at 95% efficiency): 3500 mg * 0.95 = 3325 mg
- Total Liquid Volume: 4 fl oz = 118.29 ml
- Results:
- Potency per ml: 3325 mg / 118.29 ml = 28.11 mg/ml
- Potency per tbsp (14.79 ml): 28.11 * 14.79 = 415.75 mg/tbsp (very potent!)
How to Use This Levo Infusion Calculator
- Enter Herb Amount: Weigh your dry botanical material and enter the value. Select whether you are measuring in grams or ounces.
- Enter Herb Potency: Input the percentage of the active compound (e.g., THC, CBD). If you’re unsure, use an estimate (15-20% is a common average for high-quality flower). The process of how to decarboxylate your herb first is crucial for activating these compounds.
- Enter Liquid Volume: Measure your carrier liquid (oil, butter, etc.) and enter the volume. Be sure to select the correct unit (Cups, ml, or fl oz).
- Set Infusion Efficiency: Adjust the slider to estimate how much compound will be extracted. 90% is a good starting point for LĒVO machines and oil infusions. Alcohol tinctures can be slightly higher.
- Interpret the Results: The calculator instantly updates. The “Potency per Tablespoon” is the most useful for everyday dosing. The intermediate results show the total potency of your entire batch and other common serving sizes. Use this data to accurately dose your recipes.
Key Factors That Affect Infusion Potency
- Starting Material Potency: This is the single biggest factor. Using 25% herb vs. 15% herb will result in a dramatically different final product.
- Decarboxylation: Properly heating your herb to activate the compounds (e.g., converting THCA to THC) is non-negotiable for a potent infusion. Our levo infusion calculator assumes your herb is fully activated.
- Infusion Time and Temperature: While not a direct input in the calculator, time and temp affect the “Infusion Efficiency” percentage. Too low, and you get poor extraction. Too high, and you can degrade the active compounds.
- Type of Solvent (Carrier Liquid): Fats like coconut oil, MCT oil, and butter are excellent at bonding with cannabinoids. The type of solvent can influence the final bioavailability and efficiency.
- Herb-to-Liquid Ratio: A higher concentration of herb to liquid will naturally result in a more potent final product, as seen in our examples. This is where a precise levo infusion calculator becomes indispensable.
- Grind Consistency: A fine, but not powdered, grind increases the surface area for a more efficient extraction. A detailed THC dosage chart can help you correlate your final potency to desired effects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is ‘Infusion Efficiency’ and why is it important?
Infusion efficiency is the percentage of active compounds that are successfully pulled from the plant material into your liquid carrier. It’s never 100% because some oil gets trapped in the herb that you discard. This levo infusion calculator includes it for greater accuracy. A 90% efficiency means 10% of the potential potency was lost.
2. What if I don’t know my herb’s exact potency percentage?
This is a common issue. If you purchased from a dispensary, the percentage should be on the label. If not, you must estimate. A common range for standard-quality flower is 15-20%. High-quality is often 20-30%. It’s always better to underestimate for safety.
3. Does this calculator work for butter and oil?
Yes. The calculator is based on volume, so it works for any liquid carrier. Simply enter the amount of melted butter or oil you are using. Remember that 1 cup of oil and 1 cup of melted butter have the same volume.
4. How do I convert mg/tbsp to a dose for a recipe?
First, use the levo infusion calculator to find the mg per tablespoon. If your oil is 70 mg/tbsp and your recipe calls for 4 tablespoons of oil, the entire recipe will contain 70 * 4 = 280 mg. If you then cut the recipe into 10 brownies, each brownie will have 280 / 10 = 28 mg.
5. Can I use ounces instead of grams?
Absolutely. Our calculator has a unit selector for the herb amount. Simply enter your weight and choose ‘ounces’ from the dropdown, and the tool will automatically convert it to grams for the calculation.
6. Why is my infusion not as strong as the calculator predicted?
This is almost always due to one of three factors: 1) The initial herb potency was lower than you estimated, 2) Incomplete decarboxylation, or 3) Lower-than-expected infusion efficiency due to time, temperature, or insufficient stirring.
7. Does this levo infusion calculator account for loss of liquid?
The “Amount of Infusion Liquid” you input should be the final yield volume after the infusion is complete, not the amount you started with. Some liquid is always lost to absorption by the herb. Measuring your final output gives the most accurate potency calculation.
8. Is a LĒVO machine necessary to use this calculator?
Not at all. This calculator works for any infusion method, including stovetop, slow cooker, or Ardent FX. The principles of extraction are the same. A LĒVO machine simply offers more precise control over temperature and time, which helps in achieving consistent efficiency.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
Expand your knowledge and refine your techniques with our other specialized tools and guides:
- Decarboxylation Calculator: Ensure your herb is perfectly activated before you even begin to infuse.
- Edible Dosage Calculator: Once you know your oil’s potency, use this to calculate the dose per serving in your final recipe.
- Guide to Infusion Solvents: A deep dive into the pros and cons of MCT oil, coconut oil, butter, and glycerin.