{
  "slug": "compost-mix-ratio",
  "title": "Compost C:N Ratio Calculator",
  "heading": "Compost Ratio Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/compost-mix-ratio",
  "summary": "Balance browns and greens to hit an ideal carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.",
  "description": "A hot pile needs a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio near 30:1. Enter the volumes and C:N values of your two main materials to see the blended ratio and how to adjust it.",
  "formula": "Blended C:N = total carbon ÷ total nitrogen, weighted by mass.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=compost-mix-ratio",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "brownLb",
      "label": "Browns (carbon material)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 100,
      "unit": "lb",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "brownCn",
      "label": "Browns C:N ratio",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 100,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 5,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "greenLb",
      "label": "Greens (nitrogen material)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 60,
      "unit": "lb",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "greenCn",
      "label": "Greens C:N ratio",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 15,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 2,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "target",
      "label": "Target C:N",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 30,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 15,
      "max": 40
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "ratio",
      "label": "Blended C:N ratio",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "neededBrown",
      "label": "Browns needed for target (lb)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "adjust",
      "label": "Browns to add (lb)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "totalLb",
      "label": "Total pile weight (lb)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Browns (carbon material): 100 lb",
      "Browns C:N ratio: 100",
      "Greens (nitrogen material): 60 lb",
      "Greens C:N ratio: 15",
      "Target C:N: 30"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Blended C:N ratio: 33.5",
      "Browns needed for target (lb): 77",
      "Browns to add (lb): -23",
      "Total pile weight (lb): 160"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter browns (carbon material) (lb).",
      "Enter browns c:n ratio.",
      "Enter greens (nitrogen material) (lb).",
      "Enter greens c:n ratio.",
      "Enter target c:n.",
      "Read your blended c:n ratio on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "brownLb": 60,
        "brownCn": 60,
        "greenLb": 35,
        "greenCn": 9,
        "target": 18
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "brownLb": 100,
        "brownCn": 100,
        "greenLb": 60,
        "greenCn": 15,
        "target": 30
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "brownLb": 160,
        "brownCn": 160,
        "greenLb": 95,
        "greenCn": 24,
        "target": 40
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "What happens outside 25–35:1?",
      "a": "Too much carbon and the pile stalls cold. Too much nitrogen and it goes anaerobic and smells like ammonia."
    },
    {
      "q": "Typical C:N values?",
      "a": "Dry leaves 60:1, cardboard 350:1, straw 75:1, grass clippings 17:1, food scraps 15:1, manure 15–20:1."
    }
  ],
  "related": [],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Compost C:N Ratio Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/compost-mix-ratio)"
}