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Kegerator Beer Line Calculator

The right line length for zero foam.

Balance your draft system. Calculates the recommended beer-line length to drop keg pressure to a clean 1–2 PSI at the tap, factoring line diameter, run length, and vertical rise.

⏱ ~20 secBrewers Association draft balanceSize & Capacity
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10–14
Keg PSI
Standard CO₂
36–38°F
Beer temperature
Cold side
2 PSI/ft
1/4" line drop
Resistance
4–6 sec
12 oz pour
Clean target
STEP 01

Run length.
Line diameter.

We balance your line resistance against a 12 PSI keg target.

ft
ft
°F
Above 40°F creates foam regardless of line balance.
Updates live as you type
Recommended line length
6ft
Well-balanced — should pour cleanly
Resistance
10 PSI
Target keg
12 PSI
Pour time
4.5s
Under the hood

Resistance math, honest.

Line-resistance values come from Brewers Association draft beer quality guidance for vinyl beer line at 38°F.

  1. 01

    Line resistance

    3/16" = ~3 PSI/ft, 1/4" = ~2 PSI/ft, 5/16" = ~0.5 PSI/ft. Multiply by run length.

  2. 02

    Vertical rise

    Add 0.5 PSI for each foot of vertical rise from keg to tap.

  3. 03

    Balanced length

    Recommended length = (12 PSI − rise resistance) ÷ resistance per foot. Within ±2 ft = balanced.

Questions

Frequently asked

Most US ales and lagers serve cleanly at 10–14 PSI of CO₂ at 36–38°F. The line resistance has to bring that pressure down to roughly 1 PSI at the tap, otherwise you get foam.
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