Chemical and Liquid Dilution Calculator
Part of Household Solutions and Mixing
For safety and best results, slowly add the concentrate to the diluent (e.g., chemical to water) while gently stirring, unless product instructions specify otherwise.
This calculator helps you determine the correct amounts of concentrate and diluent (like water) to achieve a desired solution concentration.
- Original (Stock) Concentration: Enter the concentration of your starting liquid. You can specify this as a percentage (e.g., 10%), a ratio (e.g., 1:5, meaning 1 part concentrate to 5 parts diluent for a total of 6 parts), or in Parts Per Million (PPM).
- Desired (Target) Concentration: Enter the final concentration you want to achieve for your mixed solution, using the same unit types.
- Known Volume Type: Select whether you know the amount of concentrate you have, or the total amount of final solution you want to make.
- If "I have this much CONCENTRATE": Enter the volume of your stock concentrate. The calculator will tell you how much diluent to add.
- If "I want this much FINAL SOLUTION": Enter the total volume of the mixed solution you need. The calculator will tell you how much concentrate and diluent to mix.
- Enter the relevant volume and select its unit.
- Click "Calculate Mixture" or observe the results update dynamically.
Precise dilution is crucial for several reasons:
- Effectiveness: Many products are designed to work best at a specific concentration. Too weak, and it might not work; too strong, and it could be harmful or wasteful.
- Safety: Incorrectly concentrated chemicals can be dangerous to handle, damaging to surfaces, or harmful to plants and people.
- Cost-Saving: Using the correct amount of concentrate prevents waste and ensures you get the most out of your products.
- Environmental Responsibility: Avoiding overly concentrated solutions helps minimize environmental impact.
Percentage (%): Represents parts per hundred. For example, a 10% solution means 10 parts solute (active ingredient) per 100 parts of solution.
Ratio (e.g., 1:10): Describes the proportion of one substance to another. A 1:10 ratio means 1 part of the first substance for every 10 parts of the second substance. When used for dilution, this often means 1 part concentrate to X parts diluent. Our calculator interprets a ratio like "1:X" as 1 part concentrate in a total of (1+X) parts solution. For example, 1:9 means 1 part concentrate and 9 parts diluent, resulting in a 10% solution if the diluent is pure.
Parts Per Million (PPM): Used for very low concentrations. 1 PPM means 1 part solute per 1,000,000 parts of solution. (1 PPM = 0.0001%)
- Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions on the product label.
- Work in a well-ventilated area.
- Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, eye protection, and sometimes a mask.
- Always add concentrate to diluent (e.g., add chemical to water), not the other way around, especially for strong acids or bases, to avoid splashing and excessive heat generation.
- Mix thoroughly but gently to avoid splashing.
- Never mix different chemicals unless specifically instructed by the manufacturer, as this can create dangerous reactions.
- Label your diluted solutions clearly with the contents and date.
- Store chemicals safely and out of reach of children and pets.
- Cleaning Solutions: Diluting concentrated all-purpose cleaners, disinfectants (like bleach), or floor cleaners.
- Gardening: Mixing plant foods, fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides according to label directions.
- Automotive: Diluting car wash soap or windshield washer fluid concentrate.
- Pet Care: Preparing diluted pet shampoos or disinfectants for cleaning pet areas.
Always refer to the product label for specific dilution ratios for your intended use.