Dilution Ratio Calculator
Use this helpful Dilution Ratio Calculator to determine your needs.
Our dilution ratio calculator helps you determine the exact amounts of solute and solvent needed to achieve your desired dilution ratio. With built-in volume conversion, you can perform calculations in any units you prefer.
Many of our products are concentrated and offer a suggested Dilution Ration depending on usage.
The dilution ratio is the proportion of Concentrate/(Solute) (the substance to be diluted) to Water*/(Solvent) (depending on solute). For example, a 1:3 dilution ratio means adding 1 unit of Concentrate/(Solute) to 3 units of Water*/(Solvent), resulting in a total of 4 units of solution.
Variables in Dilution Calculations
- Concentrate ratio: Always 1 in our calculator.
- Dilution (Water*) ratio: Any number greater than 0.
- Final volume: Desired amount of diluted liquid.
- Concentrate volume: Amount of concentrate used.
- Water* volume: Amount of water/(solvent) used.
Knowing any two of these variables allows you to use the dilution ratio calculator effectively. E.g. Final Volume (container size) & Dilution Ratio.
* While water is most common, always make sure you are using the right Solvent for your particular Concentrate.
Common Chemical Dilution Ratios
Use the guide below to find the correct mixing ratio for our most popular ChemShop products based on your specific cleaning requirements.| Product | Application | Ratio | Water Parts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Clean | Versatile Heavy Duty Degreasing | 1:10 | 10 |
| Alu Plus | Aluminium Brightening | 1:30 | 30 |
| Concentrated Weed Killer | Weed Control | 1:100 | 100 |
| Moss & Mould Killer | Roofs & Paths (Long-term) | 1:50 | 50 |
| Exterior House Wash | Siding & Walls Soft Washing | 1:40 | 40 |
| Black Ripper | Engine & Parts Degreasing | 1:4 | 4 |
| Cement Off Organic | Cement Build-up (Light Haze/Fresh Spills) | 1:6 | 6 |
Dilution Calculator FAQs
Answer: To mix a 1:10 ratio, you use one part of chemical concentrate for every ten parts of water. For example, if you are filling a 11-litre bucket, you would use 1 litre of chemical (like Multi-Clean) and 10 litres of water. Our calculator above does the math for you—simply enter your total container size and the ratio required.
Answer: The first number (1) always represents the chemical concentrate, and the second number represents the parts of water. A 1:4 ratio is a “strong” mix (20% chemical), typically used for heavy-duty degreasing with products like Black Ripper. A 1:20 ratio is a “weak” or diluted mix (about 4.7% chemical), ideal for light surface cleaning.
Answer: Always add the water to your container first, then add the chemical concentrate. This is a critical safety practice known as “A.A.” (Add Acid/Chemical to water). Adding water to a concentrated chemical can cause splashing or an exothermic reaction, which can be dangerous.
Answer: For heavy cement build-up, Cement Off Organic is typically used at a 1:1 ratio (equal parts water and chemical) or for moderate, newer build-up 1:3 ratio. If you are cleaning light residue or “haze” from tiles, you can dilute it further to 1:6. Always check the specific product page and/or label for the most accurate application instructions.
Answer: Yes. Many industrial weed killers, such as our Concentrated Weed Killer, require high dilution ratios like 1:100. This calculator accurately determines how many millilitres (ml) of concentrate you need for your backpack sprayer or spray tank.
Dilution ratio calculator – a practical example
You now know all the calculations, so let’s use a practical example to show how the dilution ratio calculator works.
- Let’s assume you have a container with a volume of 1 liter. You want to mix the cleaner concentrate with water. According to the label, the ratio of water to concentrate should be equal to 3:1 (so 3 parts water, 1 part concentrate).
- Calculate the concentrate volume (solute volume).
concentrate volume = final volume / (solvent ratio + solute ratio)concentrate volume = 1 liter / (3 + 1)concentrate volume = 1 liter / 4concentrate volume = 0.25 liter - Now, we can calculate water* volume (solvent volume).Â
water volume = solute volume × solvent ratiowater volume = 0.25 × 3water volume = 0.75 liter - That’s all! Now you know that if the desired dilution ratio is 1:3 and your container size is 1 liter, you need to use 0.25 liters of concentrate and 0.75 liters of water.
*Â While water is most common, always make sure you are using the right Solvent for your particular Concentrate.
Dilution chart
You will find example values of how much solute you need if you know the dilution ratio and the final volume in the dilution chart below. Let’s say you need the final volume of 1 liter. How much concentration do you need to dilute? (Use the below Concentrate Amount, then fill you 1L or 5L container up.)
| Dilution ratio | Concentrate Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Liter (1,000 ml) | 5 Liter (5,000 ml) | |
| 1:1 | 500 ml | 2,500 ml |
| 1:2 | 333 ml | 1,665 ml |
| 1:3 | 250 ml | 1,250 ml |
| 1:5 | 167 ml | 835 ml |
| 1:10 | 91 ml | 455 ml |
While this dilution ratio chart can be useful, our calculator allows you to do even more!
If you have any further questions, please get in touch.
