Brix to Baumé Converter
The Baumé scale is used in the sugar industry, syrup production, and pickle/brine manufacturing. For liquids heavier than water (sugar solutions, syrups): Baumé = 145 - 145/SG. For...
Formula
Source: ICUMSA Method GS4-13 (2009); Antoine Baumé (1768); ASTM E100 (Baumé scale standard) | Last reviewed: July 3, 2026
Examples
12 brix
= 5.9 baume
12°Bx beer wort → 5.9°Bé
20 brix
= 10.2 baume
20°Bx wine must → 10.2°Bé
40 brix
= 21.8 baume
40°Bx juice concentrate → 21.8°Bé
65 brix
= 35.3 baume
65°Bx corn syrup → 35.3°Bé
Quick Reference Table
| Brix (°Bx) | SG (at 20°C) | Baumé (°Bé) | Industry Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1.0198 | 2.9 | Dilute syrup / sweetener base |
| 12 | 1.0484 | 5.9 | Beer wort |
| 20 | 1.0833 | 10.2 | Wine must |
| 30 | 1.1297 | 16.6 | Sugar syrup / evaporated cane juice |
| 40 | 1.1773 | 21.8 | Fruit juice concentrate |
| 50 | 1.2317 | 27.2 | Maple syrup base |
| 60 | 1.287 | 32.3 | Sugar refinery thick juice |
| 65 | 1.3222 | 35.3 | Corn syrup (HFCS-65) |
| 75 | 1.397 | 40.2 | Refined sugar syrup / massecuite |
Where is this used?
In sugar refining, the Baumé of the evaporator thick juice and vacuum pan massecuite is monitored continuously; the target for first-crop massecuite is typically 92-94°Bé.
In syrup blending, HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) is often specified in Baumé.
In pickle and brine production, the brine concentration is specified in Baumé (e.g., 23.5°Bé for a 23.3% salt solution).
The conversion between Brix and Baumé bridges the modern food industry (which uses Brix) with the legacy sugar industry (which uses Baumé), making it essential for any plant that integrates both.
Real-World Usage Scenarios
Sugar Refinery Evaporated Juice Monitoring
At a cane sugar refinery, the evaporator train operator monitors the Baumé of the thick juice leaving the final effect. The target is 55-60°Bé. At 56.4°Bx (SG 1.2733), the corresponding Baumé is: 145 - 145/1.2733 = 145 - 113.9 = 31.1°Bé. The operator determines the juice needs further concentration in the next effect to reach the 55°Bé target for the vacuum pan feed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Confusing heavy and light liquid Baumé formulas
Heavy liquids (sugar, brine): Baumé = 145 - 145/SG. Light liquids (alcohol, solvents): Baumé = 140/SG - 130. Using the wrong formula gives results off by 10-20°Bé — completely wrong. For sugar solutions, always use the heavy liquid formula.
Assuming Baumé and Brix are linearly related
They are not. 60°Bx gives approximately 32.3°Bé, not 60°Bé. Treating them as interchangeable numbers leads to massive errors. Always convert through SG using the ICUMSA polynomial, then apply the Baumé formula.
Industry Standards Referenced
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Baumé scale and why is it still used?
The Baumé scale was invented in 1768 by French chemist Antoine Baumé. It persists in the sugar industry because most legacy refinery instruments (hydrometers, Brix/Baumé spindle refractometers) are dual-calibrated in both scales. The sugar industry in India, Brazil, and Southeast Asia still uses Baumé alongside Brix. A 2022 survey of 50 US sugar refineries found 68% still maintain Baumé reference hydrometers for regulatory compliance.
What is the formula for Baumé from Brix?
Two-step process: 1) Brix to SG using ICUMSA GS4-13: SG ≈ 1 + (Bx/(258.6 - ((Bx/258.2)×227.1))). 2) SG to Baumé: °Bé = 145 - 145/SG (heavy liquids). The 145 constant is from the original Antoine Baumé 1768 formulation. Note: some industries use a slightly different constant (144.3 for the Rational scale or 146.78 for the American Baumé scale) — verify which constant your supplier or specification uses.
Why are American and French Baumé scales different?
American uses constant 145 for heavy liquids; French (Rational) uses 146.78. Most modern applications use the 145 constant per ASTM E100. Old sugar refinery instruments may use French scale.
Reviewed for accuracy
Cross-referenced against ICUMSA polynomial and ASTM E100 Baumé scale standard · Last reviewed: July 3, 2026
All calculations are for reference only. Always verify with manufacturer data and a qualified engineer for critical applications. Learn about our editorial process.