Dilution Ratio Calculator
Calculate exact concentrate and water amounts for any dilution ratio. Enter a ratio like 1:10, 1:32, or 1:128 with your desired total volume to get precise milliliter measurements — perfect for cleaning products, chemical solutions, laboratory serial dilutions, and agricultural spray mixing.
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What is a Dilution Ratio?
A dilution ratio specifies the proportion of concentrated substance (solute) to be mixed with a diluent, typically water. In a 1:10 dilution, one part concentrate is mixed with ten parts water, yielding eleven total parts of solution. The ratio controls the final concentration — getting it right ensures effectiveness for cleaning, safety for chemical handling, and accuracy for laboratory analyses.
Dilution ratios are essential across numerous fields: janitorial cleaning (1:32 to 1:128 for floor cleaners), agriculture (1:100 to 1:500 for pesticide sprays), medical laboratories (serial dilutions for blood titers and bacterial counts), photography (1:4 to 1:9 for film developers), food service (juice concentrates), and industrial manufacturing (coolant mixing). Incorrect dilution wastes product, reduces effectiveness, or creates dangerous concentrations.
Formules et Équations utilisées
Ce calculateur s'appuie sur 5 équations fondamentales :
1 Concentrate Amount ▼
For 1:10 dilution of 1 liter total: Concentrate = 1000ml / (10+1) = 90.9 ml.
2 Water Amount ▼
For 1 liter at 1:10: Water = 1000 - 90.9 = 909.1 ml.
3 Serial Dilution ▼
Starting at 1M with three 1:10 dilutions: Final = 1 × (1/10)³ = 0.001 M.
Explore all calculation options on the Calculateur de Ratio home page.
Comment utiliser ce calculateur
Pour utiliser ce Calculateur de Ratio, suivez ces 3 étapes :
Saisir les Valeurs
Saisissez les valeurs de ratio connues dans les champs. Laissez un champ vide — c'est la valeur manquante que le calculateur va chercher à résoudre.
Choisir le Mode
Sélectionnez le mode de ratio — Résoudre, Simplifier ou Mettre à l'échelle. Chaque mode applique des formules différentes à vos valeurs.
Obtenir les Résultats
Cliquez sur Calculer. L'écran de résultats affiche la réponse avec une barre de ratio interactive, un diagramme circulaire et le détail des calculs.
Exemples Pratiques et Solutions Étape par Étape
Voici 3 exemples de calculs résolus avec les étapes détaillées grâce à ce calculateur :
Saisie 1 Mix 1:20 dilution of cleaner for 5 liters
Saisie 2 1:4 developer solution for 500ml total
Saisie 3 Serial dilution: 3 steps of 1:10 from 0.5M
Foire Aux Questions
What does a 1:10 dilution ratio mean? ▼
A 1:10 ratio means 1 part concentrate mixed with 10 parts water, giving 11 total parts. To make 1 liter at 1:10: use 90.9 ml concentrate and 909.1 ml water. The resulting solution contains 9.09% concentrate by volume.
How do I convert a dilution ratio to percentage? ▼
Divide 1 by the total number of parts and multiply by 100. A 1:20 dilution = 1/(20+1) × 100 = 4.76% concentrate. A 1:4 dilution = 1/(4+1) × 100 = 20% concentrate. The total parts is always the ratio number plus one.
What is the difference between 1:10 and 1/10 dilution? ▼
In common/commercial usage, 1:10 means 1 part concentrate to 10 parts water (11 total parts, 9.09% strength). In scientific notation, a 1/10 dilution means 1 part in 10 total parts (1 part concentrate + 9 parts water, 10% strength). The difference is small but matters for precision work.
How do I dilute concentrated bleach for disinfecting? ▼
For general disinfection with regular 5.25-6% sodium hypochlorite bleach, the CDC recommends 1:48 (1 tablespoon per quart of water, ~1000 ppm chlorine). For heavy contamination or bloodborne pathogens, use 1:10 (~5000 ppm). Always verify your bleach concentration and check current CDC guidelines.
What is a serial dilution? ▼
A serial dilution performs multiple dilution steps sequentially. Each step dilutes by the same factor. Three 1:10 dilutions produce a total 1:1000 dilution (10 × 10 × 10). This technique is used in microbiology to count bacteria, in immunology for antibody titers, and in pharmacology for dose-response curves.
How much concentrate do I need for a 5-gallon bucket at 1:32? ▼
Five gallons = 640 oz. At 1:32 (33 total parts): Concentrate = 640 ÷ 33 = 19.4 oz. Water = 640 - 19.4 = 620.6 oz. So pour approximately 19.4 oz of concentrate into your bucket and fill with water to 5 gallons total.
What is C₁V₁ = C₂V₂? ▼
This is the dilution equation where C₁ = initial concentration, V₁ = volume of concentrate, C₂ = desired final concentration, V₂ = desired final volume. To dilute a 10% solution to 2% using 500ml: 10% × V₁ = 2% × 500ml, so V₁ = 100ml concentrate + 400ml water.
How do I make a 1:128 dilution for my floor cleaner? ▼
For 1 gallon (128 oz) at 1:128: Total parts = 129. Concentrate = 128 ÷ 129 ≈ 0.99 oz (approximately 1 oz or 2 tablespoons). Water = 128 - 0.99 = 127 oz. This is the standard dilution for many commercial quaternary disinfectant concentrates.
Can I mix different chemicals after diluting them? ▼
Never mix different chemicals without consulting their Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Some common combinations are dangerous — bleach + ammonia produces toxic chloramine gas, bleach + acid produces chlorine gas. Even mixing different commercial cleaners can create hazardous reactions.
How long does a diluted cleaning solution last? ▼
Most diluted cleaning solutions remain effective for 24-48 hours. Quaternary disinfectants may last up to 7 days if the container remains closed. Diluted bleach loses effectiveness within 24 hours. Always check the product label for specific shelf-life guidance after dilution.
What dilution ratio should I use for hand sanitizer? ▼
WHO-recommended hand sanitizer formulas use 80% ethanol or 75% isopropyl alcohol (approximately a 4:1 alcohol-to-water/glycerol ratio). Using less alcohol reduces effectiveness. Do not dilute commercial hand sanitizers below their labeled concentration.