Free tool

SNF calculator

Enter the corrected lactometer reading (CLR) and FAT % to get the SNF % of milk — using Richmond's formula, the standard used by Indian dairies.

Enter milk readings

The constant varies by state and union — 0.44 is the most common in India, but 0.14, 0.36 and 0.72 are also used. Enter the value your dairy or union has officially adopted. CLR should already be corrected to the standard temperature (usually 27 °C).

ResultLive
SNF8.44 %
Total solids (FAT + SNF)12.44 %
Reference (cow milk)SNF ≥ 8.5 %
Reference (buffalo milk)SNF ≥ 9.0 %
SNF % = ( CLR ÷ 4 ) + ( 0.25 × Fat % ) + constant
How it works

How SNF is calculated

SNF (solids-not-fat) is rarely measured directly. Instead, the lactometer gives you the CLR and the analyzer or Gerber test gives you the FAT %, and SNF is derived with Richmond's formula: CLR divided by 4, plus a quarter of the fat, plus a small constant.

SNF matters because milk price depends on it: most Indian dairies pay on both FAT and SNF, and low SNF (from added water or poor feed) directly cuts the farmer's rate. For the full explainer — what SNF, CLR and total solids mean and typical values for cow and buffalo milk — read What is SNF in milk?, then price the milk with the milk rate calculator.

In Dairy Giant, SNF never has to be worked out by hand: the connected milk analyzer reports FAT, SNF and CLR in real time, and the software applies your rate chart instantly — every collection tested, priced and receipted automatically.

See automatic quality testing
Questions?

SNF calculation, answered

The widely used form of Richmond's formula is SNF % = (CLR ÷ 4) + (0.25 × Fat %) + constant. With CLR 28, FAT 4.0% and the common Indian constant 0.44, SNF = 7.0 + 1.0 + 0.44 = 8.44%.
The constant compensates for local milk composition, lactometer type and the standard each state or union has adopted — values like 0.14, 0.36, 0.44 and 0.72 are all in use. Always apply the formula your dairy or union has officially notified, since it directly affects the farmer's payment.
As per FSSAI standards, cow milk should have a minimum of 8.5% SNF and buffalo milk 9.0% SNF (with minimum FAT of 3.2% and 6.0% respectively; exact limits vary slightly by state). A noticeably lower SNF usually indicates added water or poor feeding.
Yes. Digital milk analyzers report FAT, SNF and CLR in seconds, and dairy management software like Dairy Giant captures the readings over Bluetooth, applies the rate chart and prints the farmer's receipt automatically. Book a free demo to see it live.
Automate this

Test, price and pay — automatically

Dairy Giant reads FAT, SNF and CLR straight from your milk analyzer and applies the rate chart at every collection.