How to Calculate THC Content in Homemade Edibles (Step-by-Step)

Making THC edibles at home gives full control over dosage, flavor, and strength. Accurate calculation prevents weak batches or overwhelming surprises. This step-by-step guide uses simple math and real-world examples to ensure every brownie, gummy, or cookie delivers the intended mg of THC.

Step 1: Know Your Starting Material

Tested cannabis shows exact THC percentage. Untested flower averages 10 to 20 percent THC by dry weight. Example: 7 grams of 15 percent THC flower contains 1050 mg THC (7 × 0.15 × 1000).

Step 2: Account for Decarboxylation

Raw cannabis holds THCA, not active THC. Heat converts 80 to 90 percent of THCA to THC. Formula: THC after decarb = starting THC × 0.88 (average conversion). Example: 1050 mg × 0.88 = 924 mg THC.

Step 3: Factor Infusion Efficiency

Not all THC transfers to butter or oil. Typical extraction efficiency ranges 60 to 80 percent with proper simmering. Formula: Usable THC = THC after decarb × 0.70 (70 percent average). Example: 924 mg × 0.70 = 647 mg THC in infused butter.

Step 4: Measure Your Recipe Yield

Count total servings or volume. Example: Recipe makes 24 brownies from 1 cup (240 ml) infused butter.

Step 5: Divide Total THC by Servings

Final dose per piece = usable THC ÷ number of servings. Example: 647 mg ÷ 24 brownies = 27 mg THC per brownie.

Full Example Walkthrough

You start with 10 grams of 18 percent THC flower.

• Raw THC = 10 × 0.18 × 1000 = 1800 mg
• After decarb (88 percent) = 1800 × 0.88 = 1584 mg
• After infusion (70 percent) = 1584 × 0.70 = 1109 mg
• Recipe yields 40 gummies
• Dose per gummy = 1109 ÷ 40 = 27.7 mg THC

Round down to 25 mg for safety and label clearly.

Adjust for Desired Dose

Want 10 mg per edible? Reverse the math. Total THC needed = 10 mg × servings. Example: 10 mg × 30 cookies = 300 mg usable THC. Work backward: 300 ÷ 0.70 ÷ 0.88 = 486 mg starting THC. Buy ~3.2 g of 15 percent flower.

Boost Accuracy Tips

1. Use lab-tested flower or send samples to a service.
2. Weigh everything on a 0.01 g scale.
3. Simmer low (80 to 90°C) for 2 to 3 hours with occasional stirring.
4. Strain through cheesecloth and press firmly.
5. Add lecithin (1 tsp per cup fat) to raise efficiency to 80+ percent.
6. Test a single piece after 2 hours if unsure.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overheating above 120°C destroys THC. Short infusion under 1 hour leaves cannabinoids behind. Forgetting decarb keeps THCA inactive. Uneven mixing creates hot spots (stir batter well).

Quick Reference Rules

• 1 gram of 15 percent flower ≈ 100 mg usable THC after full process
• 1 cup infused butter from 7 g average flower ≈ 400 to 600 mg THC
• Divide by servings and always start half-dose when testing

Conclusion

Calculate THC in edibles with five numbers: starting percentage, decarb loss (12 percent), infusion efficiency (70 percent average), recipe yield, and desired mg per serving. Measure, simmer, and label precisely. Your kitchen becomes a lab, and every bite hits the mark.

At Shrooms and Edibles, we sell a variety of cannabis products. Shop now for guaranteed potency.