Free Tool

Dilution
Calculator

Calculate exact volumes and weights for chemical dilutions. Density-aware calculations with support for percent and ratio modes.

20+ Chemicals
2 Modes
Auto Density
01

Calculator

Enter your chemical, target concentration, and desired total volume.

Interactive Tool

Results

Chemical Needed (volume) —
Chemical Needed (weight) —
Water Needed (volume) —
Water Needed (weight) —
02

How Dilution Works

Understanding the science behind chemical dilution.

The C1V1 = C2V2 Formula

Dilution calculations follow the fundamental equation C1 x V1 = C2 x V2, where C1 is the stock concentration, V1 is the volume of stock needed, C2 is the target concentration, and V2 is the total final volume.

Rearranging to solve for the unknown: V1 = (C2 x V2) / C1. This tells you exactly how much concentrated chemical to add. The remaining volume is your diluent (typically deionized water).

Weight/Weight vs Volume/Volume

Volume/volume (v/v) dilution measures both the solute and the final solution by volume. This is common for liquid-liquid mixing and is the simpler method for most industrial applications.

Weight/weight (w/w) dilution measures both by mass. Because chemical density varies significantly (sulfuric acid at 1.84 g/mL vs water at 1.00 g/mL), w/w concentrations can differ substantially from v/v. This calculator accounts for specific gravity to provide both volume and weight results.

For precise laboratory work, w/w is preferred because it is not affected by temperature-related volume changes. For general industrial use, v/v is more practical.

03

Common Recipes

Frequently requested dilution ratios and their typical applications.

Reference Table
Chemical Common Dilution Typical Use
Hydrogen Peroxide 30% Dilute to 3% General disinfection and cleaning
Sodium Hypochlorite 12.5% Dilute to 0.5% Surface sanitization (200 ppm)
Isopropyl Alcohol 99% Dilute to 70% Medical and lab disinfection
Sulfuric Acid 93% Dilute to 10% pH adjustment, cleaning
Hydrochloric Acid 37% Dilute to 10% Masonry cleaning, pH control
Phosphoric Acid 85% Dilute to 10% Rust removal, metal treatment
Acetic Acid 100% Dilute to 5% Cleaning, descaling
Sodium Hydroxide 50% Dilute to 10% CIP cleaning, degreasing
Denatured Alcohol 190 proof Dilute to 70% Surface sanitization
Citric Acid 50% Dilute to 5% Passivation, cleaning
04

Safety

Critical safety practices when preparing dilutions.

Always Add Chemical to Water

  1. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, and a lab coat or apron before handling any concentrated chemical.
  2. Measure the required volume of water and pour it into a clean, chemical-compatible container first. Never start with the concentrated chemical.
  3. Slowly add the concentrated chemical to the water while stirring gently. Adding water to concentrated acid (especially sulfuric acid) can cause a violent exothermic reaction, producing dangerous splashing and boiling.
  4. Monitor the temperature of the solution during mixing. Many dilution reactions are exothermic. Allow the mixture to cool between additions if it becomes warm.
  5. Mix in a well-ventilated area or use a fume hood. Many concentrated chemicals release vapors, especially acids and volatile solvents.
  6. Label the diluted solution immediately with the chemical name, concentration, date, and preparer initials. Store in a compatible, properly labeled container.
  7. Verify the final concentration using appropriate testing methods (pH meter, refractometer, titration) before use in critical applications.
05

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about chemical dilution.

Dilution FAQ

How do I dilute hydrogen peroxide from 30% to 3%?

Use the C1V1 = C2V2 formula. For 1 gallon of 3% solution: V1 = (3% x 1 gal) / 30% = 0.1 gallons (about 12.8 fl oz) of 30% H2O2. Add 0.1 gallons of 30% hydrogen peroxide to 0.9 gallons of distilled water. Always add the peroxide to the water, not the reverse.

What does a 1:10 dilution ratio mean?

A 1:10 dilution means 1 part chemical concentrate to 10 parts total solution (not 1 part chemical plus 10 parts water). So for 1 gallon of a 1:10 solution, you would use approximately 12.8 fl oz of concentrate and fill the remainder with water to reach 1 gallon total.

What is the difference between w/w and v/v concentration?

Weight/weight (w/w) measures concentration as mass of solute per mass of solution. Volume/volume (v/v) measures concentration as volume of solute per volume of solution. For chemicals with a specific gravity close to 1.0, the difference is minimal. For dense chemicals like sulfuric acid (SG 1.84), the difference is significant. A 93% w/w sulfuric acid solution is far more concentrated than a 93% v/v solution would be.

How do I make 70% isopropyl alcohol from 99%?

For 1 liter of 70% IPA: V1 = (70% x 1L) / 99% = 0.707 liters of 99% IPA. Add 707 mL of 99% isopropyl alcohol, then add distilled water to bring the total volume to 1 liter (approximately 293 mL of water). The 70% concentration is optimal for disinfection because it denatures proteins more effectively than higher concentrations.

Can I use tap water for dilutions?

For most industrial cleaning and general-purpose applications, clean tap water is acceptable. However, for laboratory, pharmaceutical, electronics, or food-grade applications, use deionized (DI) or distilled water. Tap water contains minerals and chlorine that can interfere with chemical reactions, contaminate samples, or leave residue. When in doubt, use DI water.

How long does a diluted solution remain effective?

Shelf life varies significantly by chemical. Diluted hydrogen peroxide degrades within weeks to months, especially in light. Diluted sodium hypochlorite (bleach) loses potency within days to weeks. Diluted acids and bases are generally stable for months if stored in sealed, compatible containers away from light and heat. Always label diluted solutions with the preparation date and check for degradation before use.

What is the difference between dilution and dissolution?

Dilution reduces the concentration of a solution by adding more solvent (typically water) to an existing liquid solution. Dissolution is the process of dissolving a solid, liquid, or gas into a solvent to create a new solution. For example, adding water to 50% sodium hydroxide solution is dilution. Dissolving solid sodium hydroxide flakes into water is dissolution. Both require careful attention to safety, especially with exothermic reactions.

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