Honey Yield Calculator
Estimate total harvest, jar counts, and potential revenue from your honey supers.
Planning a honey harvest? Whether you're estimating how many jars to order, setting prices for a farmers market, or just curious about your apiary's potential, this calculator helps you turn frame counts into real numbers. Enter your harvest details and get estimated yield, jar counts, and potential revenue. The calculator includes conservative and optimistic ranges so you can plan accordingly.
Settings
Harvest Details
Total frames to harvest
40
Jars & Pricing
Estimated Yield
Total honey from 40 frames
176.4 lb
Jar count
176
1 lb (454g) jars
Gross revenue
$2,112
@ $12/jar
Estimate Range
Conservative (-18%)
144.6 lb
144 jars
$1,728
Typical estimate
176.4 lb
176 jars
$2,112
Optimistic (+18%)
208.1 lb
207 jars
$2,484
Assumptions & Notes
- Yield varies significantly by region, nectar flow, and weather conditions.
- Typical deep frame yields 3-6 lb (1.5-3 kg); medium frames yield less.
- These estimates assume frames are reasonably full and capped.
- Actual extracted weight may be 5-10% less than comb weight.
- Revenue is gross; doesn't account for jars, labels, or time costs.
Typical Honey Yields
Honey production varies enormously based on location, weather, colony strength, and available forage. Here's what to expect in different scenarios:
First-Year Hive
0–20 lbs
Building up, may not produce surplus
Established Hive
30–60 lbs
Typical annual surplus
Excellent Year
80–100+ lbs
Strong flow, healthy colony
Factors That Affect Honey Yield
Nectar availability
Local flora, bloom timing, and proximity to agricultural areas all impact how much nectar bees can collect.
Weather patterns
Rain during bloom periods washes away nectar. Drought reduces flower production. Ideal conditions mean more honey.
Colony strength
A populous hive with a good queen can work more flowers. Weak colonies struggle to fill even one super.
Pest and disease pressure
Varroa mites, nosema, and other issues divert energy from foraging to survival.
Beekeeper management
Timely supering, swarm prevention, and proper feeding during dearths all contribute to better yields.
Quick Reference: Frame to Jar Conversion
| Frame Type | Honey/Frame | 1 lb Jars | 12 oz Jars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep frame | 6–8 lbs | 6–8 | 8–11 |
| Medium frame | 4–6 lbs | 4–6 | 5–8 |
| Shallow frame | 2.5–4 lbs | 2–4 | 3–5 |
These estimates assume frames are fully drawn and at least 80% capped. Partially filled frames will yield less. During extraction, expect to lose 5-10% of the comb weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much honey does a hive produce in a year?
A healthy hive in a good location can produce 30-60 lbs (14-27 kg) of surplus honey per year in temperate climates. Exceptional years with strong nectar flows can yield 100+ lbs. First-year hives typically produce little to no surplus as they build up.
How much honey is in a full frame?
A full deep frame holds about 6-8 lbs (2.7-3.6 kg) of honey. A medium frame holds about 4-6 lbs (1.8-2.7 kg). Shallow frames hold about 2.5-4 lbs (1.1-1.8 kg). These assume fully capped, fully drawn comb.
How many jars of honey from one hive?
With an average harvest of 40 lbs and using 1 lb jars, you'd get about 40 jars from one hive. Using 12 oz jars, that's roughly 53 jars. Actual yield varies widely based on location, weather, hive strength, and nectar sources.
Why is my honey yield low?
Common causes of low yield: weak colony population, poor queen, limited nectar sources nearby, drought or bad weather during bloom, disease or pest pressure (especially varroa), harvesting from a first-year hive, or taking too much and leaving bees short on stores.
When should I harvest honey?
Harvest when frames are at least 80% capped (sealed with wax). Uncapped honey has too much moisture and will ferment. Most beekeepers harvest in late summer after the main nectar flow, leaving enough stores for winter (40-90 lbs depending on climate).