Cannabutter is cannabis-infused butter used to make potent, edible treats like brownies, cookies, and even savory dishes. It’s created by slowly cooking cannabis flower with butter, allowing the active compounds (like THC and CBD) to bind with the fats in butter.
Homemade edibles are popular because they’re discreet, long-lasting, and customizable—but only if you get the dosage right. That’s where a cannabutter ratio calculator comes in.
Understanding Cannabutter Potency and Dosage
Contents
- 1 Understanding Cannabutter Potency and Dosage
- 2 What Is a Cannabutter Ratio Calculator?
- 3 Why Use a Cannabutter Ratio Calculator?
- 4 Key Components Affecting Cannabutter Strength
- 5 THC vs CBD: How the Ratio Impacts Effects
- 6 How to Use a Cannabutter Ratio Calculator
- 7 Common Ratios and Dosage Guidelines
- 8 Customizing Your Edibles: From Mild to Strong
- 9 Cannabutter Ratio Calculator for Baking Recipes
- 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Calculating Cannabutter Doses
- 11 How to Test Potency Without a Lab
- 12 Cannabutter and Tolerance: How to Adjust Dosage
- 13 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Before diving into calculations, it helps to understand what potency means. It’s usually measured in milligrams (mg) of THC or CBD per serving. The potency of your cannabutter depends on:
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The strength of your cannabis flower (THC/CBD percentage)
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How much cannabis and butter you use
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Your cooking process and how well the THC is extracted
Without proper measurements, it’s easy to over- or under-dose.
What Is a Cannabutter Ratio Calculator?
A Cannabutter Ratio Calculator is a tool that helps you:
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Calculate how much THC or CBD is in your final butter
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Adjust recipes based on your desired dose per serving
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Avoid guesswork and ensure safe, enjoyable consumption
All you need to input is your flower potency, amount of flower used, and total butter volume. The calculator does the math to show your mg of THC/CBD per teaspoon or tablespoon of butter.
Why Use a Cannabutter Ratio Calculator?
Using a calculator is not just convenient—it’s essential for safety and consistency. Here’s why:
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Ensures proper dosing for medical or recreational use
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Helps avoid overconsumption (and bad trips)
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Allows for reliable recipe scaling
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Makes it easy to replicate your perfect batch
It’s your best friend in the kitchen when working with infused butter.
Key Components Affecting Cannabutter Strength
When calculating potency, keep these factors in mind:
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Cannabis potency (% THC or CBD) – Most strains range from 10% to 30%.
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Amount of flower used – More weed = stronger butter.
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Decarboxylation – This heat process activates THC. Skipping it reduces potency.
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Infusion efficiency – Not all THC transfers to butter; average is around 60-80%.
Knowing these variables helps you plug accurate numbers into your calculator.
THC vs CBD: How the Ratio Impacts Effects
Cannabutter isn’t just about THC. Many people make CBD butter for relief without the high. Here’s the difference:
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High THC, Low CBD: Euphoric, psychoactive effects.
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Balanced Ratio (1:1): Mild high, therapeutic benefits.
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High CBD, Low THC: Relaxation without intoxication.
A ratio calculator can help tailor your edibles based on desired effect, not just strength.
How to Use a Cannabutter Ratio Calculator
To use a calculator, you’ll need:
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THC or CBD % of your strain
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Grams of cannabis used
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Volume of butter (cups, tablespoons, or grams)
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Optional: Infusion efficiency (typically 70%)
Example:
Using 10 grams of 20% THC cannabis with 1 cup of butter:
10g x 1000mg = 10,000mg cannabis
20% THC = 2,000mg THC
Assume 70% extraction → 1,400mg THC
1 cup = 16 tbsp → 1,400mg ÷ 16 = ~87.5mg THC per tbsp
Now you know exactly how strong each serving is.
Common Ratios and Dosage Guidelines
Here’s a general guide to edible potency:
THC (mg per serving) | Effect |
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1–2 mg | Very mild |
2.5–5 mg | Beginner-friendly |
5–10 mg | Moderate effect |
10–20 mg | Strong |
25+ mg | Very potent |
Always start low and go slow, especially with homemade edibles.
Customizing Your Edibles: From Mild to Strong
One of the best parts of using a calculator is the ability to adjust:
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Use less butter for a stronger dose per tbsp
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Use more butter to spread the dose out
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Add non-infused butter to dilute potency for newbies
This customization helps you bake for a group with different tolerance levels.
Cannabutter Ratio Calculator for Baking Recipes
Want to bake cookies or brownies? Here’s how to figure out dosage per serving:
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Determine THC per tbsp of butter
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Check how many tbsp your recipe uses
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Multiply to get total THC in batch
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Divide by number of servings
Example:
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Recipe uses 6 tbsp of cannabutter at 50mg per tbsp = 300mg THC
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Makes 12 cookies → each cookie = 25mg THC
Knowing this ensures you never make a “too strong” batch again.
Mistakes to Avoid When Calculating Cannabutter Doses
Even seasoned users can slip up. Watch out for:
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Skipping decarboxylation
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Using THC% for total plant weight (instead of total milligrams)
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Forgetting to account for extraction loss
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Assuming store-bought weed matches lab results
Always double-check your math or rely on a quality calculator.
How to Test Potency Without a Lab
Don’t have access to lab testing? Here are some tricks:
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Use a small test batch and eat a tiny amount
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Wait 2 hours to feel full effects
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Adjust future batches accordingly
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Consider splitting your batch into low and high-potency portions
Patience pays off when it comes to edible accuracy.
Cannabutter and Tolerance: How to Adjust Dosage
Everyone’s tolerance is different. Here’s how to tailor doses:
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Low tolerance: Stick to 1–5 mg per serving
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Moderate: 5–15 mg is ideal
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High tolerance: 20+ mg may be necessary
Use the calculator to find your “sweet spot” and keep track of what works.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What’s the best THC % for making cannabutter?
Aim for 15–25% THC for potent results without going overboard.
2. How much cannabutter should I use in a recipe?
Use a cannabutter ratio calculator to determine dosage per serving, then adjust based on your tolerance.
3. Can I mix infused and non-infused butter?
Absolutely. It helps dilute potency and control dosage.
4. Do I need to decarb my weed first?
Yes, decarboxylation is essential to activate THC.
5. How long does cannabutter stay potent?
Stored in the fridge, it lasts up to 2 months, and in the freezer, even longer.
6. What’s the easiest way to start using a calculator?
Use simple numbers—1 gram of 20% THC, and 1 cup of butter—then scale from there.
Conclusion:
A Cannabutter Ratio Calculator is more than a convenience—it’s your guide to safe, precise, and enjoyable edibles. By understanding the math behind your mix, you unlock a world of culinary cannabis possibilities with full control over potency.
Whether you’re making mild cookies or strong brownies, this tool ensures every batch is just right. No more guesswork—just perfect dosing, every single time.