Honeybee Sugar Syrup Calculator
Quickly figure out how much water and sugar you need to make light or heavy syrup for feeding your bees.
Water Needed
1.00 L
Add this much water to 1.00 kg of sugar for a 1:1 light syrup.
Final Syrup Volume
1.63 L
Use this as a capacity check to make sure the mixed syrup will fit in your jar, bucket, or feeder.
Deep Frames Equivalent
0.4
double-sided deep frames
Medium Frames Equivalent
0.8
double-sided medium frames
Spring syrup is often consumed directly for brood rearing and comb building. Frame estimates show the finished-store equivalent of the sugar if it were cured and stored.
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Syrup CalculatorWhen to feed 1:1 light syrup
Best in spring and on packages or new swarms. Mimics natural nectar flow, stimulates brood rearing and comb building.
When to feed 2:1 heavy syrup
Best in fall to build winter stores. Less water means bees cure it faster — critical before the first frost.
Quick tips
- Use plain white granulated sugar only — never brown, raw, or organic sugar.
- Feed in enclosed feeders (top, frame, or entrance) to prevent robbing from other colonies.
- Never add vinegar, lemon juice, or cream of tartar to "invert" syrup — acids increase HMF formation.
- Stop liquid feeding when daytime temps stay below 10°C / 50°F
Learn more
- Trying to get your colony through winter? Read our Guide to Feeding Bees in Winter.
- For the full picture on getting your colonies through winter — stores, insulation, mite control, and more — check out our Complete Guide to Overwintering Bees.