Question 1

How do I dilute a chemical? What is the dilution formula?

Accepted Answer

Use the C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ formula: V₁ (stock volume) = (C₂ × V₂) ÷ C₁. Example: To make 1 litre of 5% solution from 30% stock: V₁ = (5 × 1000) ÷ 30 = 167 mL stock + 833 mL water. Always add concentrated solution to water, never water to concentrated acid.

Question 2

What is the C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ formula?

Accepted Answer

C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ is the dilution equation where C₁ = initial (stock) concentration, V₁ = volume of stock solution needed, C₂ = desired final concentration, V₂ = desired final volume. Rearranged: V₁ = (C₂ × V₂) ÷ C₁. Works for any consistent concentration unit (%, g/L, M, ppm). The final volume minus V₁ gives the diluent (water) volume.

Question 3

How do I prepare a 5% solution?

Accepted Answer

For a 5% w/v solution: dissolve 5 grams of solute in enough water to make 100 mL total (not 100 mL of water). For 1 litre: dissolve 50 g in ~800 mL water, then adjust to exactly 1000 mL using a volumetric flask. If diluting from a 30% stock: use C₁V₁=C₂V₂ → V₁ = (5 × 1000) ÷ 30 = 166.7 mL of stock, add 833.3 mL water.

Question 4

What is the difference between % w/w, % w/v, and % v/v?

Accepted Answer

% w/v (weight/volume) = grams of solute per 100 mL of solution, most common for pharmaceutical and cleaning products. % w/w (weight/weight) = grams of solute per 100 g of total mixture, used for concentrated acids and solid formulations. % v/v (volume/volume) = mL of solute per 100 mL of solution, used for alcohol solutions (e.g., 70% v/v ethanol). To convert % w/v to % w/w: divide by density (g/mL).

Question 5

How do I calculate molarity?

Accepted Answer

Molarity (M) = moles per litre = mass (g) ÷ (molecular weight × volume in litres). Formula: Mass = Molarity × Volume(L) × Molecular Weight. Example: To make 500 mL of 0.1 M NaCl (MW = 58.44): mass = 0.1 × 0.5 × 58.44 = 2.922 g. Dissolve 2.922 g in ~400 mL water, transfer to 500 mL volumetric flask, fill to the mark.

Question 6

How do I scale a batch recipe for manufacturing?

Accepted Answer

Enter your ingredient percentages in the Recipe tab. Change the batch size to your target (e.g., 500 kg). All ingredient quantities update automatically proportional to their percentage. For example, if floor cleaner has 5% LABS surfactant: in a 100 kg batch = 5 kg; in a 500 kg batch = 25 kg. Water/diluent fills the balance to reach total batch size.

Question 7

How do I convert between concentration units like ppm, g/L, and molarity?

Accepted Answer

Key conversions: % w/v × 10 = g/L (5% = 50 g/L). g/L × 1000 = mg/L = ppm (in water). g/L ÷ molecular weight = mol/L (Molarity). ppm ÷ 1000 = g/L. Example: 500 ppm = 0.5 g/L = 0.05% w/v. For sodium chloride (MW=58.44): 0.5 g/L ÷ 58.44 = 0.00856 mol/L = 8.56 mmol/L. Use the Converter tab for instant multi-unit conversions.

Stock concentration (C1)	50%
Target concentration (C2)	10%
Final volume needed (V2)	500 mL
Calculation
V1 = (10 × 500) ÷ 50	100 mL stock
Water to add	400 mL

Chemical	Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
Molecular weight	58.44 g/mol
Target concentration	0.5 M
Volume needed	250 mL (0.25 L)
Calculation
Mass = 0.5 × 0.25 × 58.44	7.305 g NaCl

Chemical	Typical Stock	Use
Hydrochloric Acid	37% (12M)	pH adjustment, cleaning
Sulfuric Acid	98% (18M)	Strong acid applications
Sodium Hydroxide	50% (12.5M)	pH adjustment, saponification
Ethanol	95-100%	Solvent, disinfection
Hydrogen Peroxide	30-35%	Bleaching, oxidation
Ammonia	25-28%	Cleaning, pH adjustment

Industry	Common Use	Key Feature
Cleaning Products	Surfactant & bleach blending	Batch recipe + cost/bottle
Pharmaceuticals	API dilution, molar solutions	Molarity + molarity → mass
Agriculture	Pesticide & fertilizer dilution	C₁V₁=C₂V₂ with ppm/g/L
Water Treatment	Chlorine dosing (NaOCl)	Dilution + concentration converter
Food & Beverage	Flavour or preservative blending	% w/v + cost per unit
Cosmetics	Active ingredient % formulation	Recipe tab + density → cost/L
Chemical Supply	Volume ↔ mass conversion for billing	Density tab (volume → kg)
Research / Labs	Buffer preparation, serial dilutions	Molarity + unit converter

Step	Concentration	Preparation
Stock	1000 ppm	Original solution
1	100 ppm	1 mL stock + 9 mL diluent
2	10 ppm	1 mL from step 1 + 9 mL diluent
3	1 ppm	1 mL from step 2 + 9 mL diluent

Chemical Formulation Calculator

What is Chemical Formulation?

Key Formulation Formulas

Dilution Equation (C1V1 = C2V2)

Mass for Molar Solution

Percentage Concentration

Dilution Calculation Examples

Example 1: Simple Dilution

Example 2: Molar Solution

Concentration Unit Conversions

Common Stock Solutions

Where This Calculator Is Used

Formulation Safety Guidelines

Serial Dilution

Quality Control in Formulation

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a buffer solution?

What if my chemical has different purity?

How do I account for water of crystallization?

Can I mix concentrated acids?

From	To	Formula
% w/v	g/L	× 10
g/L	% w/v	÷ 10
ppm	g/L	÷ 1000
Molarity (M)	g/L	× Molecular Weight
g/L	Molarity (M)	÷ Molecular Weight
Molarity (M)	mg/mL	× MW ÷ 1000