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Dilution
Dilution
Calculator
Calculate exact volumes and weights for chemical dilutions — percent or ratio, gallons or liters, density-aware. 38 chemicals including acids, bases, solvents, oxidizers, and common household equivalents (muriatic acid, pool bleach, white vinegar).
38
Chemicals
C₁V₁
= C₂V₂
Auto
Density
01
Calculator
Enter your chemical, target concentration, and desired total volume.
Results (v/v)
Chemical Needed (volume)
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Chemical Needed (weight)
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Water Needed (volume)
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Water Needed (weight)
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By Chemical
Dedicated guides for the chemicals customers dilute most often. Each page launches the calculator pre-loaded for that chemical, plus buying guidance and safety specific to the substance.
Rust & Passivation
Phosphoric Acid
85% → 10%, 30%, passivation workflows
Cleaning & Descale
Vinegar (Acetic Acid)
30% → 10%, 6%, 5% household equivalents
Disinfection
Isopropyl Alcohol
99% → 70%, 50%, and 91% USP step-downs
Oxidizer
Hydrogen Peroxide
30% → 3%, 8%, 12% step-down workflows
Disinfection & Sanitize
Bleach (NaOCl)
12.5% → 0.5% CDC, 200 ppm food-contact
Pool & Masonry
Muriatic Acid (HCl)
31% → 10% wash, 1:10 pool pre-dilution
Wood & Rust
Oxalic Acid
10% w/v → 5% wood bleach, 4% deck wash
Paint Prep
Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)
10% w/v → 2.5% paint prep, 5% degrease
03
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.
Default on this calculator is v/v. Use the v/v Volume / w/w Weight toggle above if your SOP specifies weight fractions — the math below rebalances using each component's density so both the volume and weight readouts stay internally consistent.
04
Common Recipes
Frequently requested dilution ratios and their typical applications, cited to EPA, CDC, USDA, OSHA, and manufacturer guidance.
| Chemical | Common Dilution | Typical Use | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen Peroxide 30% | Dilute to 3% | General disinfection and wound cleaning | CDC |
| Hydrogen Peroxide 30% | Dilute to 0.5–1% | Garden root rot treatment (soil drench) | Horticultural practice |
| Sodium Hypochlorite 12.5% | Dilute to 0.5% (5,000 ppm) | Surface sanitization, mold remediation | CDC |
| Sodium Hypochlorite 12.5% | Dilute to 200 ppm (0.02%) | Food-contact surface sanitizing | FDA |
| Isopropyl Alcohol 99% | Dilute to 70% | Hospital-grade surface disinfection | CDC |
| Isopropyl Alcohol 99% | Dilute to 91% | Electronics cleaning (slower evaporation) | Manufacturer guidance |
| Sulfuric Acid 93% | Dilute to 10% | pH adjustment, drain cleaning | OSHA |
| Muriatic / Hydrochloric Acid 31% | Dilute to 10:1 water:acid | Pool pH adjustment, concrete etching | EPA |
| Hydrochloric Acid 37% | Dilute to 5–10% | Masonry cleaning, rust removal | OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1000 |
| Phosphoric Acid 85% | Dilute to 10% | Rust converter / remover on steel | ASTM A967 passivation |
| Phosphoric Acid 75% | Dilute to 25% | Stainless steel passivation | ASTM |
| Acetic Acid 100% (Glacial) | Dilute to 5% | Household cleaning, descaling | USP-NF |
| Acetic Acid 100% (Glacial) | Dilute to 20% (industrial vinegar) | Organic weed control, heavy-duty descaling | USDA NOP |
| Sodium Hydroxide 50% | Dilute to 2–5% | CIP cleaning, dairy/food processing | FDA 21 CFR 178.1010 |
| Sodium Hydroxide 50% | Dilute to 10% | Degreasing, paint stripping | OSHA PEL 2 mg/m³ |
| Nitric Acid 65% | Dilute to 20–30% | Stainless steel passivation, etching | ASTM A967 |
| Denatured Alcohol 200 Proof | Dilute to 70% | Surface sanitization | CDC |
| Citric Acid 50% | Dilute to 4–10% | Stainless steel passivation (green alternative) | ASTM A967 |
| Ferric Chloride 40% | Dilute to 10–20% | PCB etching, water treatment coagulant | AWWA B407 standard |
| Propylene Glycol 100% | Dilute to 30–50% | RV/marine antifreeze, HVAC heat transfer | ASHRAE HVAC guidance |
| Ethylene Glycol 100% | Dilute to 50% | Automotive coolant (−37 °C protection) | ASTM D3306 |
| Ammonium Hydroxide 28% | Dilute to 5–10% | Household ammonia cleaner | OSHA PEL 25 ppm |
| Oxalic Acid (solid) | Dissolve to 6–10% w/v | Wood bleach, rust removal from wood | Manufacturer SDS |
| Trisodium Phosphate (TSP, solid) | Dissolve to 1–2 Tbsp per gallon | Heavy-duty household cleaner, paint prep | EPA-registered cleaner label |
| Calcium Hypochlorite (solid) | Dissolve to 5–15 ppm free chlorine | Pool shock, drinking water treatment | EPA |
Citations indicate where the dilution guidance originates. Always cross-check against the chemical's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and your facility's standard operating procedures before preparing a dilution. Concentration ranges reflect typical practice and are not a substitute for site-specific validation.
05
Safety
Critical safety practices when preparing dilutions.
Always Add Chemical to Water
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, and a lab coat or apron before handling any concentrated chemical.
- Measure the required volume of water and pour it into a clean, chemical-compatible container first. Never start with the concentrated chemical.
- 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.
- Monitor the temperature of the solution during mixing. Many dilution reactions are exothermic. Allow the mixture to cool between additions if it becomes warm.
- Mix in a well-ventilated area or use a fume hood. Many concentrated chemicals release vapors, especially acids and volatile solvents.
- Label the diluted solution immediately with the chemical name, concentration, date, and preparer initials. Store in a compatible, properly labeled container.
- Verify the final concentration using appropriate testing methods (pH meter, refractometer, titration) before use in critical applications.
06
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 water, for 11 total parts. So for 1 gallon of final solution, you would use about 11.6 fluid ounces of concentrate and 116.4 fluid ounces of water.
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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