Levo Infusion Calculator
This levo infusion calculator helps you accurately estimate the potency of your homemade infusions. By inputting details about your herb and liquid, you can determine the final milligram (mg) strength per milliliter (ml), ensuring consistent and predictable results for your edibles and tinctures.
Enter the total weight of your dried botanical in grams.
Enter the cannabinoid percentage (e.g., THC or CBD) of your flower. Typically 15-25%.
Enter the total volume of your oil, butter, or alcohol in milliliters (1 cup ≈ 237 ml).
Extraction is not 100% efficient. A Levo machine typically achieves 70-90% efficiency.
Chart comparing the total potential cannabinoids in the raw herb versus the estimated amount successfully infused into the liquid.
Potency per Serving Size
| Serving Size | Volume | Estimated Potency (mg) |
|---|
This table provides a quick reference for dosing based on common kitchen measurements. The accuracy of this levo infusion calculator depends on the inputs provided.
What is a Levo Infusion Calculator?
A levo infusion calculator is a specialized tool designed to estimate the cannabinoid potency of an infused oil, butter, or tincture created with a Levo infusion machine. While designed with Levo users in mind, its principles apply to any infusion process. Users input the amount and potency of their botanical (like cannabis or hemp), the volume of the carrier liquid (like coconut oil or butter), and the estimated infusion efficiency to predict the final concentration of active compounds, such as THC or CBD, in the finished product. This is crucial for anyone looking to create edibles or topicals with consistent, predictable, and safe dosages. Without such a tool, dosing homemade infusions becomes pure guesswork, which can lead to undesirable experiences.
This tool is invaluable for medical cannabis patients who require precise dosing, home cooks looking to standardize their edible recipes, and wellness enthusiasts crafting their own CBD tinctures. A common misconception is that all the cannabinoids from the plant transfer into the oil. In reality, the process is never 100% efficient. A high-quality levo infusion calculator accounts for this loss by including a variable for infusion efficiency, providing a much more realistic estimate of the final product’s strength.
Levo Infusion Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The mathematical core of any levo infusion calculator is a straightforward, multi-step process. It converts the raw inputs into a final potency value, typically expressed in milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml).
- Calculate Total Potential Cannabinoids: First, the total mass of the active compound in the raw plant material is calculated. This is done by converting the herb’s weight to milligrams and multiplying it by its potency percentage.
- Apply Infusion Efficiency: Next, this total potential amount is adjusted for the inevitable loss during extraction. Multiplying by the infusion efficiency percentage gives a realistic estimate of how many milligrams are actually transferred to the liquid.
- Determine Final Concentration: Finally, this adjusted total is divided by the volume of the carrier liquid. The result is the final potency of the infusion.
Understanding this formula is key to mastering your infusions. For more on the science, our edible dosage guide provides a deeper dive. The formula is:
Potency (mg/ml) = (Herb Amount (g) * 1000 * (Herb Potency / 100) * (Infusion Efficiency / 100)) / Liquid Volume (ml)
Variables Table
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herb Amount | Weight of the dried botanical material. | grams (g) | 3 – 14 g |
| Herb Potency | Percentage of active cannabinoids (THC, CBD) in the herb. | Percent (%) | 10 – 30% |
| Liquid Volume | Volume of the carrier liquid (oil, butter, etc.). | milliliters (ml) | 150 – 500 ml |
| Infusion Efficiency | The percentage of cannabinoids successfully extracted into the liquid. | Percent (%) | 70 – 90% |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Standard CBD Coconut Oil Infusion
A user wants to make a daily wellness tincture using their Levo machine.
- Inputs:
- Herb Amount: 10 grams
- Herb Potency: 15% CBD
- Liquid Volume: 240 ml (approx. 1 cup) of MCT oil
- Infusion Efficiency: 85%
- Calculation using the levo infusion calculator:
- Total Potential CBD: 10g * 1000mg/g * 0.15 = 1500 mg
- Total Infused CBD: 1500 mg * 0.85 = 1275 mg
- Final Potency: 1275 mg / 240 ml = 5.31 mg/ml
- Interpretation: The final MCT oil contains approximately 5.31 mg of CBD per milliliter. A standard dropper (1 ml) would provide a ~5mg dose, perfect for microdosing.
Example 2: Potent THC-Infused Butter for Baking
A baker is preparing a small batch of potent brownies for experienced users. Explore our cannabutter potency guide for more tips.
- Inputs:
- Herb Amount: 7 grams
- Herb Potency: 25% THC
- Liquid Volume: 227 ml (1 cup of butter)
- Infusion Efficiency: 80%
- Calculation using the levo infusion calculator:
- Total Potential THC: 7g * 1000mg/g * 0.25 = 1750 mg
- Total Infused THC: 1750 mg * 0.80 = 1400 mg
- Final Potency: 1400 mg / 227 ml = 6.17 mg/ml
- Interpretation: The cannabutter has a potency of 6.17 mg/ml. A tablespoon (~15 ml) would contain about 92.5 mg of THC, a very high dose that must be used carefully when portioning the brownies.
How to Use This Levo Infusion Calculator
Using this levo infusion calculator is designed to be simple and intuitive, giving you powerful results in just a few steps.
- Enter Herb Amount: Weigh your dried, decarboxylated herb in grams and enter the value. Precision here is key.
- Enter Herb Potency: Input the cannabinoid percentage. This is often found on the packaging from a dispensary. If unknown, use an average for your strain (typically 15-20%).
- Enter Liquid Volume: Measure your oil or melted butter in milliliters and enter the value.
- Adjust Infusion Efficiency: The default is 80%, a good estimate for a Levo machine. If you know your process is more or less efficient, adjust accordingly.
- Read the Results: The calculator instantly updates. The primary result shows the potency in mg/ml. You can also see the total potential vs. infused cannabinoids and the potency per tablespoon. The table and chart below provide further detailed breakdowns. Using these results, you can make informed decisions about your recipes and dosing. For example, if a recipe calls for 1/4 cup of oil (~60 ml) and your oil is 5 mg/ml, you know the recipe will contain a total of 300 mg.
Key Factors That Affect Levo Infusion Calculator Results
Several factors can influence the final potency of your infusion. The levo infusion calculator provides an estimate, but understanding these variables helps you achieve greater accuracy and consistency. For an overview of the machine itself, check out our details on the Levo II.
- Decarboxylation: This is the process of heating the herb to “activate” the cannabinoids (e.g., convert THCA to THC). Incomplete or improper decarboxylation is the single biggest cause of weak infusions. A levo infusion calculator assumes full activation. Our decarboxylation guide explains this critical step.
- Herb Quality and Grind: The starting potency of your flower is paramount. A higher-potency flower will naturally yield a stronger infusion. The grind also matters; a grind that is too fine can introduce plant matter into the final product, while a grind that is too coarse can reduce surface area and lower efficiency.
- Infusion Time and Temperature: Different cannabinoids infuse at different rates and temperatures. Longer infusion times or higher temperatures can increase efficiency up to a point, but excessive heat can degrade cannabinoids, reducing overall potency.
- Type of Carrier Oil: The type of fat used can affect efficiency. Oils rich in saturated fats, like coconut oil and MCT oil, are known to be excellent solvents for cannabinoids, potentially leading to higher efficiency than other oils. This is a key part of infusion best practices.
- Infusion Ratio: The ratio of herb to oil is critical. If you use too much oil for a small amount of herb, the final product will be very diluted and weak. Conversely, using too little oil can fail to submerge the herb properly, leading to an inefficient, scorched infusion.
- Accuracy of Measurements: The old adage “garbage in, garbage out” applies perfectly here. The accuracy of your levo infusion calculator results is entirely dependent on the accuracy of your input measurements. Use a digital kitchen scale for your herb and proper liquid measuring cups for your oil.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This calculator provides a strong, science-based estimate. However, the actual potency can only be confirmed with laboratory testing. Its accuracy depends entirely on the precision of your input values (herb potency, weight, etc.).
For Levo machines, an efficiency of 70-90% is a widely accepted range. We use 80% as a solid default. If you’re using a traditional method (stovetop, crockpot), you might consider using a lower value, like 60-70%.
Yes. While the language focuses on cannabis, the mathematical principle is the same for any botanical infusion where you know the starting concentration of a specific compound.
The most common reason is incomplete decarboxylation. Other factors include inaccurate herb potency percentage, incorrect measurements, or an infusion time/temperature that was too low. The levo infusion calculator cannot account for user error in the preparation process.
The liquid volume directly determines the final concentration. The same amount of infused cannabinoids in half the liquid will result in a product that is twice as strong (mg/ml). This is why our levo infusion calculator requires this input.
This tool focuses on the potency of the *infused oil itself*. An edible dosage calculator often takes it a step further, asking for recipe details (like number of servings) to calculate the dose per final edible.
Levo offers an app and online tools that include calculators for time, temperature, and potency. This third-party levo infusion calculator is designed to be a comprehensive, web-based resource for users who want a detailed breakdown and permanent reference.
Yes. This is a popular technique. You would perform a second infusion cycle with a fresh batch of herb in the already-infused oil. This will significantly increase the potency, and you can use the levo infusion calculator to estimate the potency of each step.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
- Edible Dosage Calculator: Once your oil is infused, use this tool to calculate the potency per serving in your final recipe.
- Cannabutter Potency 101: A comprehensive guide to making and dosing homemade cannabutter for consistent results.
- The Ultimate Decarboxylation Guide: Learn the science and methods behind activating your herb, a critical step for potent infusions.
- Explore the Levo II: Read specifications, reviews, and use cases for the popular infusion machine.
- Infusion Best Practices: Tips and tricks for getting the most out of your Levo machine and herbs.
- Beginner’s Guide to Edible Dosing: Understand how to start with edibles, find your minimum effective dose, and ensure a safe experience.