What this calculator does
Cleaning products, cordial, chemicals and garden concentrates are often labelled with a mixing ratio such as "1:10" or "1:32", meaning one part concentrate to that many parts water. This dilution ratio calculator takes that ratio and a target total volume, and works out how much concentrate and how much water go into the mix.
It is a different question from working out a target concentration in a lab, which is what a C\u2081V\u2081 = C\u2082V\u2082 dilution calculation solves. Here the label already gives the ratio directly, so the maths is simpler: split the total volume in proportion to the two ratio parts.
The formula
The total volume is split in proportion to the ratio. Concentrate needed equals the total volume multiplied by the concentrate\u2019s share of the ratio, that is, the concentrate part divided by the sum of both parts. Whatever is left of the total volume is the water, or other diluent, needed to make it up.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ratio parts concentrate | The first number in a ratio like 1:10, representing the concentrate portion. |
| Ratio parts water (diluent) | The second number in the ratio, representing the water or other diluent portion. |
| Total volume | How much finished, ready-to-use mixture you want to end up with. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Ratio parts concentrate | The concentrate\u2019s share of the ratio, usually 1. |
| Ratio parts water (diluent) | The water or diluent\u2019s share of the ratio, for example 10 in a 1:10 mix. |
| Total volume needed (mL) | The total finished volume you want to make up, in millilitres. |
When to use it
Mixing a cleaning concentrate at 1:10
A bottle labelled 1:10 needs one part cleaner to ten parts water. Entering the total volume of spray bottle or bucket wanted gives the exact amount of each to add.
A stronger or weaker mix for a tougher job
Some products list a range, such as 1:10 for general cleaning and 1:4 for heavy stains. Changing just the ratio parts, with the same total volume, shows how much more concentrate a stronger mix uses.
Making up a large batch from a small ratio
Ratios like 1:32 or 1:50 are common for lawn and garden concentrates. Scaling straight up to a full watering can or sprayer tank volume avoids repeatedly mixing small batches.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How much concentrate does a 1000 mL mix need at different ratios?
The same litre of finished mixture, split at a range of common dilution ratios.
| Ratio (1 : this many parts water) | Concentrate needed | Diluent (water) needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1:4 | 200.00 mL | 800.00 mL |
| 1:10 | 90.91 mL | 909.09 mL |
| 1:20 | 47.62 mL | 952.38 mL |
| 1:32 | 30.30 mL | 969.70 mL |
| 1:50 | 19.61 mL | 980.39 mL |
| 1:100 | 9.90 mL | 990.10 mL |
Questions
Is a dilution ratio the same as a dilution factor?
They describe the same mix but are written differently. A 1:10 ratio means 1 part concentrate to 10 parts diluent, for 11 parts total, whereas a dilution factor of 10 usually means 1 part concentrate made up to 10 parts total. Check which convention a product label is using before mixing.
What if the label just says a percentage, not a ratio?
A percentage such as 10% concentrate is a different framing again, closer to a concentration calculation. For a ratio written as parts, such as 1:10 or 1:32, this calculator applies directly.
Does it matter if I use litres or millilitres?
No, as long as the total volume entered is consistent, the concentrate and water amounts scale exactly the same way. The results here are shown in both millilitres and litres to suit either.
What if I only know how much concentrate I have, not the total volume I want?
Treat the concentrate amount as the "1" side of the ratio\u2019s share of the total, then divide it by the ratio to find how much diluent to add, since concentrate plus diluent must equal the ratio in proportion.
For a lab-style dilution worked from target concentrations rather than a ratio, see the solution dilution calculator. For a household bleach mix specifically, see the bleach dilution calculator.