Levo Infusion Calculator
Accurately estimate the potency of your herbal infusions.
Infusion Potency Calculator
Formula Used: Potency (mg/mL) = [Herb Amount (g) * Herb Potency (%) * 1000 * Infusion Efficiency (%)] / [Total Oil Volume (mL) – Estimated Oil Loss (mL)]. We assume an oil loss of 1.5 mL per gram of herb.
Dynamic Potency Chart
This chart illustrates how potency changes relative to herb and oil amounts based on your inputs.
Example Infusion Potencies
| Herb Amount (g) | Oil Amount (cups) | Herb Potency (%) | Estimated Final Potency (mg/mL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 1 | 15% | ~2.01 mg/mL |
| 7 | 1 | 20% | ~5.26 mg/mL |
| 7 | 2 | 20% | ~2.56 mg/mL |
| 10 | 2 | 22% | ~4.09 mg/mL |
| 14 | 2 | 25% | ~6.52 mg/mL |
Examples assume an 85% infusion efficiency. This table provides quick estimates for common infusion scenarios.
What is a Levo Infusion Calculator?
A levo infusion calculator is a specialized tool designed for users of Levo oil infusers and other similar devices to estimate the final potency of their herbal infusions. Whether you are infusing cannabis (THC or CBD), lavender, rosemary, or other botanicals into a carrier like oil, butter, or honey, this calculator helps you move from guesswork to predictable results. By inputting key variables such as the amount and potency of your herb, and the volume of your carrier liquid, the levo infusion calculator computes the estimated concentration of active compounds (like cannabinoids) in your final product, typically expressed in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL).
This tool is invaluable for anyone making edibles, topicals, or tinctures at home. It allows for consistent dosing, which is crucial for both recreational and medicinal users. Miscalculating potency can lead to experiences that are either underwhelming or uncomfortably strong. Using a levo infusion calculator empowers you to create batches with reliable, repeatable, and tailored effects every time.
Levo Infusion Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The core of any levo infusion calculator is a straightforward formula that accounts for the key variables in the infusion process. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how the calculation is performed:
- Calculate Total Potential Cannabinoids: First, determine the maximum amount of active compound available in your raw material. This is done by multiplying the weight of the herb by its potency.
- Account for Infusion Efficiency: Not all cannabinoids will be extracted from the plant material into the oil. The efficiency of this transfer is estimated (Levo machines typically average 70-90%). The total potential cannabinoids are multiplied by this efficiency percentage to find the amount that is actually infused.
- Determine Final Oil Volume: When you infuse herbs, some of the oil is absorbed and lost in the strained plant material. We estimate this loss to calculate the final, usable volume of your infused oil.
- Calculate Final Potency: The total infused cannabinoids (in mg) are divided by the final volume of oil (in mL) to yield the final potency.
Variables Table
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herb Amount | Weight of the dry botanical material. | grams (g) | 3 – 14 g |
| Herb Potency | Percentage of the active compound (e.g., THC). | % | 10% – 30% |
| Oil Volume | The starting volume of the carrier liquid. | cups | 0.5 – 2 cups |
| Infusion Efficiency | The percentage of cannabinoids successfully extracted. | % | 75% – 95% |
| Final Potency | The final concentration of the infusion. | mg/mL | 1 – 20 mg/mL |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Standard Potency THC Coconut Oil
An individual wants to make a standard batch of THC-infused coconut oil for baking brownies.
- Inputs:
- Herb Amount: 7 grams
- Herb Potency: 22% THC
- Oil Volume: 1 cup
- Infusion Efficiency: 85%
- Calculation using the levo infusion calculator:
- Total Potential THC: 7 g * 22% * 1000 = 1540 mg
- Estimated Infused THC: 1540 mg * 85% = 1309 mg
- Final Oil Volume: (1 cup * 236.6 mL/cup) – (7 g * 1.5 mL/g) = 226.1 mL
- Final Potency: 1309 mg / 226.1 mL ≈ 5.79 mg/mL
- Interpretation: Each milliliter of the final oil contains approximately 5.79 mg of THC. If a recipe calls for 1/2 cup of oil (about 118 mL), the brownies would contain a total of 683 mg of THC.
Example 2: Mild CBD-Infused Olive Oil
A user wishes to create a light, micro-dosed CBD olive oil for salad dressings.
- Inputs:
- Herb Amount: 5 grams
- Herb Potency: 15% CBD
- Oil Volume: 2 cups
- Infusion Efficiency: 90%
- Calculation with the levo infusion calculator:
- Total Potential CBD: 5 g * 15% * 1000 = 750 mg
- Estimated Infused CBD: 750 mg * 90% = 675 mg
- Final Oil Volume: (2 cups * 236.6 mL/cup) – (5 g * 1.5 mL/g) = 465.7 mL
- Final Potency: 675 mg / 465.7 mL ≈ 1.45 mg/mL
- Interpretation: The resulting olive oil is very mild, with about 1.45 mg of CBD per mL. A tablespoon (15 mL) would provide a gentle dose of approximately 21.75 mg of CBD. Using a levo potency calculator is perfect for achieving such precise, low-dose infusions.
How to Use This Levo Infusion Calculator
This calculator is designed for simplicity and accuracy. Follow these steps to get your infusion potency:
- Enter Herb Amount: Weigh your dry herbs in grams and enter the number.
- Enter Herb Potency: Input the THC or CBD percentage found on your product’s packaging. If unknown, 15-20% is a common estimate for standard cannabis flower.
- Enter Oil Volume: Measure the amount of coconut oil, butter, or other carrier liquid you are using in cups.
- Adjust Infusion Efficiency: Set the estimated efficiency. 85% is a good starting point for a quality machine like the Levo.
- Read the Results: The calculator instantly updates, showing the final potency in mg/mL, along with intermediate values like the total infused cannabinoids.
- Plan Your Dosage: Use the final potency to accurately dose your recipes. For example, if your oil is 5 mg/mL and you need a 10 mg dose, you would use 2 mL of oil.
Key Factors That Affect Levo Infusion Results
Achieving the perfect infusion goes beyond the numbers. Several factors can influence the outcome, and understanding them is key. This is where a good edible dosage calculator becomes more than a tool—it’s part of a larger process.
- Decarboxylation: This is the most critical preliminary step for cannabis. Raw flower contains THCA and CBDA, which must be heated to convert them into active THC and CBD. Inconsistent or incomplete decarboxylation is the number one reason for weak infusions.
- Herb Quality and Freshness: The potency listed on your herb is a starting point. How it was grown, cured, and stored affects its final cannabinoid and terpene profile. Always use high-quality material for the best results.
- Grind Consistency: Do not grind your herb into a fine powder. A coarse grind, broken up by hand, allows for optimal oil circulation without letting fine plant particles pass through the filter into your final product.
- Infusion Time and Temperature: The “low and slow” method is generally best. High heat can degrade cannabinoids and terpenes, negatively affecting potency and flavor. A longer infusion time can increase extraction, but there is a point of diminishing returns. Our Time & Temp Calculator offers ideal settings.
- Carrier Oil Type: Different fats have different saturation levels, which can influence their ability to bind with cannabinoids. High-fat carriers like coconut oil and butter are famously effective.
- Herb-to-Oil Ratio: A higher concentration of herb to oil doesn’t always mean a proportionally stronger infusion. The oil can become saturated, limiting how much more it can absorb. This levo infusion calculator helps you find the sweet spot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This calculator provides a close estimation based on a standard formula. However, true potency can only be verified with laboratory testing. Factors like decarboxylation efficiency and actual herb potency can cause variations. It is an excellent guide, not a lab replacement.
If you don’t have a lab-tested percentage, you can use a conservative estimate. Standard cannabis flower often ranges from 15-25% THC. Start with a lower estimate, like 15%, to avoid accidentally making your infusion too strong.
While this calculator is designed with cannabinoids in mind (using percentages), the principles of extraction apply to other herbs. However, since most culinary herbs don’t have a standardized “potency” percentage, its use is primarily for estimating cannabis infusion strength.
The most common reason is incomplete decarboxylation. Ensure you are heating your cannabis at the correct temperature for the right amount of time before infusing. Other factors include low infusion efficiency, inaccurate herb potency, or too high an infusion temperature. For a stronger infusion, see our guide on how to make potent infused oil.
A levo infusion calculator focuses on the potency of the infused oil or butter itself (mg/mL). An edible dosage calculator takes that one step further, helping you calculate the dose per serving of a finished recipe (e.g., mg per brownie). You use the infusion calculator first, then the edible calculator.
Yes, to a point. A longer infusion allows more time for cannabinoids to migrate from the plant into the oil, increasing potency. However, after a few hours, the rate of extraction slows significantly. Most Levo users find 2-4 hours to be sufficient.
The amount of oil lost depends on how finely ground your herb is and how much you use. A good estimate is around 1 to 2 mL of oil lost per gram of herb. Our levo infusion calculator automatically accounts for this to improve accuracy.
You can, but the second infusion will be significantly weaker as most of the active compounds have already been extracted. Most users discard the herb after one thorough infusion cycle.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
- Edible Dosage Calculator: Once you know your oil’s potency, use this tool to calculate the exact dose per serving in your final recipe.
- The Complete Guide to Levo Decarboxylation: Learn the science and method behind properly activating your herbs for maximum potency.
- Cannabis Oil Infusion Recipe: A step-by-step recipe that works perfectly with our levo infusion calculator to create potent cannabutter.
- Advanced THC Infusion Tips: For those looking to maximize the strength and flavor of their infusions.
- Levo Potency Calculator: Another great resource for calculating the potency of your infusions.
- Levo 2 Review: A deep dive into the features and performance of the popular Levo 2 infusion machine.