Upon completion of fermentation, a certain amount of CO2 remains in the beer. This amount of "residual CO2" depends upon the temperature of the fermentation. An ale fermented at 65°F will have 0.9 volumes of residual CO2 while a lager fermented at 50°F will have 1.2 volumes. To get the same carbonation in these two beers would require different amounts of priming sugar.
For the same weight, the various priming sugars generate different amounts of CO2. To add one volume of CO2, you need to add priming sugar at the following rates:
Priming
Ingredient
Attenuation
grams/liter
Apparent
Real
Cane
or table sugar (sucrose)
-
100%
3.82
Corn
sugar (glucose/dextrose)
-
100%
4.02
Dried
malt extract
(DME)
Munton
& Fison
75%
60%
6.8
Northwestern
70%
56%
7.2
Laaglander
55%
44%
9.3
Please note that DME varies in its fermentability. Some example brand names are given with their approximate apparent attenuation (AA) values. Typically, DME has an AA of 70% to 75%, with the notable exception of Laaglander brand at 55%.
Caution: Use this calculator at your own risk. Never exceed the pressure rating of the carbonating vessel as injury to yourself or others may result. This information is provided "as is" and the author assumes no liability for the use of the results from this calculator.