Yeast pitch rate
Yeast pitch rate for 5 gallons at OG 1.050
A 5 gallon ale at 1.050 (12.39 Plato) needs roughly 175.9 billion cells, which is 1.76 liquid packs. That is more than one pack, so a starter is warranted.
The same batch as a lager needs about 351.8 billion cells, because lager pitch rates are conventionally double ale rates.
5 gallons at 1.050
| Pitch rate | Cells needed | Liquid packs | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ale, standard (0.75 M/mL/P) | 175.9 billion | 1.76 | Convention |
| Lager (1.5 M/mL/P) | 351.8 billion | 3.52 | Convention |
| Original extract | 12.39 Plato | - | Standard |
| Cells per fresh liquid pack | 100 billion | - | Standard |
Rows marked Standard come from a published equation, constant or manufacturer specification. Rows marked Convention are widely repeated brewing practice with no governing document behind them. The difference matters, so this site labels it rather than blurring the two together.
Yeast and starter equipment
Prices are those returned when this page was last built and change often.
Safale US-05 American Ale Dry Yeast
The default clean American ale strain. Dry yeast needs no starter, which removes a whole step for a first all-grain batch.
Safale S-04 English Ale Dry Yeast
Fast flocculating English ale strain that drops bright quickly.
Fermentis Safale US-05 (8 pack, 11.5 g)
Eight sachets of US-05, which is the cheapest way to pitch properly on every batch.
LalBrew Nottingham Dry Ale Yeast (2 pack)
Neutral high attenuating ale yeast in 11 g sachets.
LalBrew Voss Kveik Ale Yeast (2 pack)
Kveik strain that ferments cleanly at high temperatures, which removes the need for a fermentation chamber in a warm house.
LalBrew New England Ale Yeast (2 pack)
Hazy ale strain for New England style IPAs.
Northern Brewer Maelstrom Stir Plate
Stir plate with stir bar for yeast propagation, which grows a liquid pack up to a correct pitch.
Tapcraft Twister Stainless Magnetic Stir Plate
Seven inch stainless stir plate sized for a two litre starter flask.
Stir Starter Magnetic Yeast Starter Plate
Purpose built yeast starter stir plate with no heating element.
JOANLAB MS5 Magnetic Stirrer
Entry level unheated magnetic stirrer for yeast starters.
Related on BrewGearCalc
- Yeast pitch rate and starter calculator
- How to make a yeast starter
- Best yeast to keep on hand
- Yeast pitch rate for 10 gallons at OG 1.050
- Yeast pitch rate for 10 gallons at OG 1.040
- Yeast pitch rate for 5 gallons at OG 1.060
- Yeast pitch rate for 5 gallons at OG 1.040
- Yeast pitch rate for 10 gallons at OG 1.070
- Pitching liquid yeast that is 3 months old
Frequently asked questions
- How much yeast for 5 gallons at 1.050?
- About 175.9 billion cells for an ale, which is 2 fresh liquid packs or an equivalent starter. The figure comes from multiplying a pitch rate by volume and by degrees Plato. The published part is the cell count per pack; the pitch rate itself is convention.
- Is the 0.75 million cells figure a standard?
- No, and it is worth being clear about that. The 0.75 million cells per millilitre per degree Plato ale rate is a widely repeated convention with no governing document behind it. It works well, which is why it spread. Published manufacturer cell counts per pack, by contrast, are real specifications.
- Do I need a starter at 1.050?
- At 1.050 in 5 gallons the requirement is 175.9 billion cells, which is more than one fresh pack holds, so yes. A starter grows the culture up before it meets the wort. Dry yeast is the alternative, since a sachet carries enough cells that no starter is needed.
Researched from published brewing formulas, manufacturer specifications and verified owner reviews. This is general guidance, not professional advice.