Master THC Edible Dosage Math with Simple Formulas and Real Examples

Written by Lorien Strydom

December 3rd, 2025

You're holding 7 grams of flower and a brownie recipe, but you have no idea how strong each piece will be.

Last time you made edibles, three pieces felt like nothing while the fourth one knocked you out for eight hours.

Or maybe you're staring at a  30mg Mood gummy wondering if that's the right amount or way too much.

Here's what nobody tells you upfront: calculating THC per serving isn't complicated chemistry.

It's straightforward math using four simple steps. Convert grams to milligrams, multiply by your THC percentage, account for 10-30% heating loss, then divide by servings.

The formula works whether you're making cannabutter brownies or figuring out safe starting amounts for  store-bought edibles.

This guide walks through the exact calculations with real kitchen examples, explains why your last batch varied so wildly, and shows you both paths forward: master the math for homemade control, or choose lab-tested products that eliminate all variables.

Table of Contents

• THC Per Serving Chart and Timing You Need to Know

• Why THCa Needs Heat and Which Fats Work Best

• How Edible Calculators Work in Three Simple Steps

• The Basic Formula for Calculating THC in Homemade Edibles

• Real Kitchen Math for Butter, Oil, and Concentrates

• Safe Amounts and Timing for Predictable Experiences

• Common Mistakes That Ruin Homemade Edibles

• What to Do When You Don't Know THC Percentage

• Strain, Terpenes, and Other Factors That Change the Feel

• What These Numbers Actually Mean for Your Next Batch

THC Per Serving Chart and Timing You Need to Know

Light amounts range from 0-5mg per serving. This works for beginners, people with low tolerance, or anyone seeking mild effects without impairment.

Moderate amounts fall between 5-15mg per serving. Experienced occasional users seeking noticeable relaxation typically find this range comfortable.

Strong amounts span 15-30mg per serving. High tolerance consumers and seasoned edible users gravitate toward these numbers for desired effects.

Very strong amounts start at 100mg or higher. Veteran users with extremely high tolerance may explore this territory, though most people find this range very intense.

Edibles typically onset in 30-120 minutes. Effects peak around 2-4 hours after consumption. The entire experience lasts 6-12 hours for most people.

Why edibles hit differently: THC processes through your digestive system and liver before entering your bloodstream.

Your liver transforms THC into a compound that feels stronger and lasts significantly longer than inhaled cannabis. This explains why 10mg eaten feels more intense than 10mg smoked.

Learn more about how edibles work differently from other formats.

Mood's 15mg gummies represent moderate strength with third-party lab testing.

Our 30mg gummies offer strong effects for experienced users. Every package includes a Certificate of Analysis showing exact THC content per piece.

Why THCa Needs Heat and Which Fats Work Best

Raw cannabis contains THCa, which doesn't produce the effects you're seeking. THCa becomes more potent when heated. The heating process activates THCa into its more active form.

Heat cannabis at 240°F for 30-40 minutes before infusing into fats. This step transforms THCa throughout the plant material. Skipping this creates weak or inactive edibles no matter how much cannabis you use.

Cannabinoids bind effectively with fats and oils. This is why butter, coconut oil, and olive oil work for infusions while water-based liquids don't.

Butter vs Oil vs Tinctures at a Glance

Cannabutter: Best for traditional baked goods like brownies, cookies, and cakes. Requires refrigeration. Familiar butter taste that works in most recipes calling for butter or oil.

Coconut oil: High fat content improves THC absorption. Shelf-stable for months. Works in recipes both hot and cold. Neutral flavor that doesn't overpower dishes.

Olive oil: Better suited for savory cooking. Moderate fat content compared to coconut. Distinct flavor that complements certain recipes. Works well for infused pasta dishes or sauces.

Tinctures: Alcohol-based extracts for sublingual use. Fastest onset at 15-60 minutes instead of 60-120 minutes. Easy storage in dark glass bottles. Precise drop-by-drop control. Long shelf life of several years.

Poor mixing creates serious problems. If infused oil isn't thoroughly incorporated into your batter, some brownies might contain 5mg while others contain 50mg from the same batch. This uneven distribution explains why three pieces feel like nothing and the fourth one overwhelms you.

How Edible Calculators Work in Three Simple Steps

Online calculators ask for three inputs. Understanding what they do with these numbers lets you run calculations yourself or verify calculator results.

Step one requires cannabis weight in grams and THC percentage. Check your packaging for THCa percentage specifically. This number shows total potential once heated. If packaging lists 20% THCa, use 20% in calculations.

Step two needs infusion volume. Measure your butter, oil, or alcohol in grams, cups, or milliliters depending on the calculator. This tells you how much fat carries your activated THC.

Step three asks for total servings. Count how many brownies, cookies, or portions your recipe yields. This final number determines per-serving strength.

Calculators perform two calculations. First, they compute total THC in your batch by converting grams to milligrams, multiplying by THC percentage, then applying loss factors. Second, they divide batch total by servings to show THC per piece.

Quality calculators automatically adjust for 10-30% loss during heating and infusion. Not all THC survives the cooking process. Some degrades from excessive heat. Some doesn't transfer completely into the oil or butter. Accounting for this loss improves accuracy significantly.

These calculators provide estimates, not guaranteed amounts. Only third-party lab testing confirms exact potency. Home calculations get you close enough for planning, but expect some variation between batches.

The Basic Formula for Calculating THC in Homemade Edibles

Convert grams to milligrams first. One gram equals 1000 milligrams. Seven grams becomes 7000mg. This conversion matters because THC percentages work with milligrams, not grams.

Multiply total milligrams by your THC percentage. Using THCa percentage from packaging improves accuracy.

If you have 7000mg cannabis at 20% THCa, multiply 7000 × 0.20 = 1400mg total THCa. Our  THC vs THCa percentage guide  explains why THCa numbers matter for accurate calculations.

Apply loss factor to account for heating and infusion. Subtract 10-30% depending on your method. Conservative calculations use 20% loss. For 1400mg THCa, multiply by 0.80 to get 1120mg transferred THC.

Divide by number of servings to find per-piece strength. If your recipe makes 16 brownies, divide 1120mg ÷ 16 = 70mg per brownie.

This formula works for butter, oil, and concentrates with minor adjustments. The same four steps apply regardless of infusion medium. Later sections show worked examples for each method with specific numbers.

Real Kitchen Math for Butter, Oil, and Concentrates

Cannabutter Brownies

You're making brownies with 7 grams of flower at 20% THCa. Your recipe calls for one cup (227 grams) of butter. The batch yields 16 brownies.

Convert to milligrams: 7 grams × 1000 = 7000mg Apply THC percentage: 7000mg × 0.20 = 1400mg THCa Account for loss: 1400mg × 0.80 = 1120mg transferred Divide by servings: 1120mg ÷ 16 = 70mg per brownie

Each brownie contains approximately 70mg THC. This falls into the very strong category. Cutting brownies in half gives you 35mg pieces. Cutting into quarters yields more moderate 17.5mg portions.

Cannabis Oil Measured in Milliliters

You're infusing 10 grams of flower at 18% THCa into 240ml (one cup) of coconut oil. Your recipe uses 30ml of this oil and makes 20 servings.

• Convert to milligrams: 10 grams × 1000 = 10,000mg

• Apply THC percentage: 10,000mg × 0.18 = 1800mg THCa

• Account for loss: 1800mg × 0.75 = 1350mg transferred

• Calculate per ml: 1350mg ÷ 240ml = 5.625mg per ml

• Calculate batch total: 5.625mg × 30ml = 168.75mg in batch

• Divide by servings: 168.75mg ÷ 20 = 8.4mg per serving

This two-step oil calculation first determines strength per milliliter.

Then it calculates how much oil goes into the final recipe. Each serving contains approximately 8.4mg THC, putting it in the moderate range.

Distillate or RSO Concentrates

You're using 1 gram of distillate labeled at 85% THC. Concentrates are already activated, so no heating loss applies. You're mixing this into 24 cookies.

• Convert to milligrams: 1 gram × 1000 = 1000mg

• Apply THC percentage: 1000mg × 0.85 = 850mg THC

• Divide by servings: 850mg ÷ 24 = 35.4mg per cookie

Concentrates work differently because they're already processed. No heating loss factor needed.

The potency listed on packaging represents actual THC content. Each cookie contains approximately 35mg THC, which falls into the strong category for most users.

Safe Amounts and Timing for Predictable Experiences

First-time users benefit from starting at 2.5-5mg. This conservative amount lets you learn your onset time and peak intensity.

You'll discover your personal duration while staying in comfortable territory. Our THC gummy amount guide walks through the calibration method in detail.

Occasional users typically find 5-10mg comfortable. This range produces noticeable relaxation without significant impairment. Most people in this category can still function normally if needed.

Read our complete low THC amount guide for more on this range.

Regular users often seek 10-20mg for desired effects. Tolerance builds with consistent use. What felt strong at first becomes moderate over time. This range works for evening unwinding or intentional sessions.

High-tolerance users may explore 20-30mg or higher. Years of regular consumption change how your body processes THC.

What might feel overwhelming to new users might feel mild to someone with established tolerance.

Wait 30-120 minutes before considering more. The most common mistake happens at the 45-minute mark. You feel nothing, assume your edible isn't working, and take another.

Both amounts hit simultaneously around 90 minutes, creating eight hours of intense effects you can't reverse.

For faster onset, try our Hero Dose Rapid Onset gummies  that work in 15-45 minutes.

Effects last 6-8 hours typically, sometimes extending to 12 hours.

Peak intensity arrives 2-4 hours after consumption. Plan accordingly.

Don't take edibles an hour before important obligations expecting effects to pass quickly. New to edibles? Read our first-time edibles guide for complete timing breakdowns.

CBD may balance THC intensity for some people. Products showing ratios like 1:1 or 2:1 (THC:CBD) can feel less intense than pure THC at the same milligram amount. Individual responses vary. This is informational, not medical advice.

Label all homemade edibles clearly. Write the approximate THC amount per piece on containers. Store securely to prevent accidental consumption. Keep in airtight containers away from heat and light to preserve potency.

For those seeking certainty without calculations, Mood's gummies provide lab-verified amounts.

No math required, no guesswork involved, just consistent experiences backed by third-party testing showing exact mg per piece. Explore our complete edibles collection to find your perfect strength.

Common Mistakes That Ruin Homemade Edibles

Skipping the heating step creates inactive edibles. Raw cannabis contains THCa that doesn't produce desired effects. THCa becomes more potent when heated at 240°F for 30-40 minutes before infusion. Without this step, you're essentially making expensive brownies with plant matter mixed in.

Our guide to making edibles covers the complete heating and infusion process.

Using excessive heat degrades cannabinoids.

Temperatures above 300°F transform active THC into less effective compounds. This explains why some batches feel surprisingly weak despite using plenty of cannabis. Lower, slower heat preserves more THC throughout the process.

Miscalculating inputs leads to unpredictable results.

Using the wrong THC percentage, forgetting the gram-to-milligram conversion, or ignoring loss factors creates batches that range from disappointing to overwhelming. One calculation error changes 15mg pieces into 60mg pieces.

Uneven mixing creates hot spots. If infused oil isn't thoroughly stirred into your batter, distribution varies wildly across servings.

Some brownies from the same pan might contain 5mg while others pack 50mg. This inconsistency prevents predictable experiences.

Fixes and Adjustments

Lower potency by using less infused butter or oil in your recipe.

If calculations show 60mg per piece but you want 15mg, use one-quarter of the infused butter and substitute regular butter for the rest. Alternatively, cut servings smaller or divide the same batch into more pieces.

Increase potency by using more cannabis in the original infusion or by reducing serving sizes. Making 12 large brownies instead of 16 smaller ones concentrates THC into fewer pieces.

For unknown flower, use a conservative 15% THC baseline. Black market or untested cannabis varies, but 15% provides a middle-ground estimate. This prevents accidentally making products too strong while getting you in the right range.

For ABV (Already Been Vaped) cannabis, estimate 5-9% remaining THC. The vaping process activates most THC already, so the material retains meaningful content at reduced levels.

Account for this lower percentage in calculations.

Eating fatty foods alongside edibles can intensify and speed absorption. Taking edibles with a meal high in fats may create stronger effects compared to consuming on an empty stomach.

This happens because THC binds to dietary fats for improved absorption.

What to Do When You Don't Know THC Percentage

Unknown flower from unverified sources requires conservative assumptions.

Use 15% THC as your baseline for calculations. Historical black market cannabis averages 12-18% THC content.

The 15% middle ground prevents creating unexpectedly strong batches while keeping effects in a predictable range.

ABV (Already Been Vaped) material retains 5-9% THC typically. The vaping process has heated this cannabis once already, activating and consuming significant THC content.

What remains is enough for effective edibles at reduced strength. Calculate using 7% as a middle estimate.

Very old or poorly stored cannabis loses potency over time. Light, heat, and air exposure degrade THC. Cannabis stored for years might test significantly lower than its original percentage.

Assume 10-12% for older material unless you have recent test results.

These percentages represent educated guesses, not precise measurements.

Third-party lab testing is the only way to confirm exact potency. When working with unknown percentages, start with smaller test batches. Make four brownies instead of sixteen to see how the strength feels before committing to larger recipes.

Strain, Terpenes, and Other Factors That Change the Feel

Cannabis strains influence effects through unique profiles beyond just THC content.

A 15mg edible from one strain may feel noticeably different from 15mg of another strain due to additional compounds working together.

Terpenes contribute to these variations. Myrcene creates more relaxing effects. Limonene tends toward energizing experiences. Caryophyllene may provide balancing properties.

These aromatic compounds exist in the original flower and carry through into well-made infusions.

Tincture ratios measure active cannabinoids dissolved in alcohol, typically expressed as milligrams per milliliter. This format allows precise per-drop control. Five drops at 5mg per ml delivers 25mg total.

Different calculation approaches apply compared to butter or oil infusions, but the same mg-based thinking works once you know your concentration.

What These Numbers Actually Mean for Your Next Batch

You now understand how to convert grams to milligrams, apply THC percentages, account for heating and infusion loss, and divide by servings. This knowledge transforms edible-making from guesswork into a systematic process you control.

You know why your last batch varied so wildly. Maybe you miscalculated THC percentage. Perhaps your heating temperature was too high. Possibly the mixing wasn't thorough enough.

These variables explain the difference between disappointing weakness and overwhelming strength.

Every homemade calculation involves uncertainty. Your flower's THC percentage might be off by 5%. Heating loss varies between 10-30% depending on your method and equipment.

Infusion efficiency changes based on fat type, temperature, and duration. Mixing quality affects whether each serving contains equal amounts.

Lab-tested products eliminate all these variables.

When  Mood's gummies show 15mg Delta-9 THC, third-party testing confirms exactly 15mg in each piece. No calculation errors. No guessing about loss factors. No wondering if mixing distributed THC evenly. Just consistent, predictable experiences you can plan around.

Choose your path based on what matters most.

Master the math for ultimate control over homemade creations and the satisfaction of making everything from scratch. Or select tested products for guaranteed accuracy and zero calculation stress.

Either way, you have control through knowledge.

You understand how THC amounts translate to experiences. You recognize why calculators provide estimates while lab testing provides certainty. You can evaluate any edible, homemade or purchased, with confidence.

Mood offers millions of users hemp-derived THC, which is 100% legal and fully compliant cannabis.

You may have heard that the legality of hemp-derived THC is currently under attack, which could threaten the wellness of so many. Read here to learn how to join the fight, and help us keep hemp cannabis accessible to all for a long time to come.

Important Disclaimer: Mood is not a medical authority. We cannot provide medical advice, health recommendations, or guidance on how THC may affect specific conditions. The calculations and information in this guide serve educational purposes only. Consult licensed healthcare professionals for guidance on how THC may interact with your individual health circumstances or medications. Cannabis affects everyone differently based on metabolism, tolerance, and biological factors. Always start with smaller amounts than you think you need and wait the full onset window before considering more.