Hummingbird Nectar Calculator
The ratio is always 4 parts water to 1 part plain white sugar. This works out the amounts so you are not doing fractions over the sink.
Hummingbird nectar is four parts water to one part plain white granulated sugar, measured by volume. Nothing else: no dye, no honey, no brown sugar, no substitutes. The calculator below does the arithmetic for whatever batch size you need.
Sugar is measured by volume, the way the 4 to 1 ratio is normally taught. Gram weights are given as a convenience for anyone using a kitchen scale.
The reference table, if you would rather not type#
| Nectar wanted | Water | Sugar |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp | 3 tbsp |
| 2 cups | 1 1/2 cups + 2 tbsp | 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp |
| 4 cups (1 quart) | 3 1/4 cups | 3/4 cup |
| 8 cups (2 quarts) | 6 1/2 cups | 1 1/2 cups |
The simplest version most people memorize is 1 cup of water to 1/4 cup of sugar, which makes a little over a cup of nectar. Scale that up as needed. Precision to the gram is not required: hummingbirds tolerate a reasonable range, and getting the ratio roughly right matters far more than getting it exactly right.
Why exactly four to one#
The 4 to 1 ratio produces a solution of roughly 20 percent sucrose by volume, which sits in the range of the flower nectars hummingbirds evolved feeding on. Weaker mixes give a bird less energy per trip, so it burns more fuel commuting. Much stronger mixes are thick enough to be harder for the tongue to move and give the bird less water, which matters because nectar is a hummingbird's main water source too.
Never use these
Honey (ferments and grows fungus), brown sugar, raw sugar, turbinado or molasses (iron content), artificial sweeteners (no calories, so the bird starves), and red dye (unnecessary and not well studied at feeder concentrations). Plain white granulated sugar is the only right answer, and it is also the cheapest.
How often to change it, which matters more than the recipe#
Getting the ratio right and then leaving the nectar out for a week undoes the whole exercise. Fermented nectar and black mold in the ports are genuinely dangerous to hummingbirds.
| Outdoor temperature | Change and clean every |
|---|---|
| Above 90°F (32°C) | 1 to 2 days |
| 80 to 90°F (27 to 32°C) | 2 days |
| 70 to 80°F (21 to 27°C) | 3 days |
| Below 70°F (21°C) | 4 to 5 days |
This is why a small feeder is better than a large one unless you have a crowd. A feeder you refill every two days is a feeder that gets cleaned every two days. The full method is in cleaning a hummingbird feeder, and feeder design tradeoffs are covered in choosing a hummingbird feeder.
Where to go next#
- The full recipe page, with storage and troubleshooting: hummingbird nectar recipe
- Feeder designs compared: hummingbird feeders
- Timing by region: when to put out hummingbird feeders and when to take them down
- Getting them to show up at all: how to attract hummingbirds
- Pests at the feeder: ants and bees and wasps
- The birds themselves: ruby-throated, Anna's and rufous hummingbirds
Frequently asked questions#
What is the correct hummingbird nectar ratio?
Four parts water to one part plain white granulated sugar, measured by volume. That is 1 cup of water to 1/4 cup of sugar. This approximates the sucrose concentration of the flowers hummingbirds feed from naturally.
Should I add red dye to hummingbird nectar?
No. Dye serves no purpose for the bird, and its long term effects at feeder concentrations have not been well studied. Hummingbirds are drawn to the red plastic on the feeder itself, not to red liquid. Plain clear nectar works exactly as well.
Can I use honey, brown sugar or a sugar substitute?
No to all three. Honey ferments quickly and can grow fungus that is dangerous to hummingbirds. Brown sugar, raw sugar and molasses contain iron, which hummingbirds tolerate poorly. Artificial sweeteners contain no calories at all, so a bird feeding on them starves.
Do I have to boil hummingbird nectar?
Not necessarily. Boiling helps the sugar dissolve and slightly extends how long unused nectar keeps in the refrigerator. It does not sterilize the feeder, and boiled nectar spoils outdoors at the same rate as unboiled. If your tap water is safe to drink, warm water and stirring is enough.
How long does homemade nectar keep?
Up to about two weeks in a sealed container in the refrigerator. In the feeder it is a different question entirely: change it every two days above roughly 85°F (29°C), and every three to four days in mild weather.
Should I make the mix stronger in cold weather?
No. A stronger syrup does lower the freezing point slightly, but it also thickens the nectar beyond what a hummingbird's tongue handles well and can contribute to dehydration. Keep 4 to 1 and use a heat source or bring the feeder in overnight instead.