Volume Percent Solution Calculator

How it is calculated

The tool treats the two liquid volumes as simply adding up. Total volume: V_total = V_solute + V_solvent. Concentration: v/v % = V_solute / V_total × 100. Here V_solute is the volume of the dissolved liquid (for example ethanol) and V_solvent is the volume of the liquid you add it to (for example water), both in the same unit. Results are shown with two decimals, and the volumes are labelled mL.

The labels say mL, but only the ratio matters, so any unit works as long as both fields use it (the total is then in that unit too). Volumes cannot be negative and they cannot both be zero. Because the tool adds volumes, it gives the percentage you intended by volumes of ingredients; when some liquids are mixed the final volume ends up a little smaller than the sum, and the measured v/v % of the finished liquid can then be slightly higher.

Common mistakes

• Entering the final total volume as the solvent. The solvent field is the volume of liquid added to the solute; if you already know the 250 mL total, the solvent is 250 − 35 = 215, not 250.
• Mixing units between the fields, such as the solute in mL and the solvent in litres. Both must use the same unit or the percentage is wrong.
• Using the tool for a weight-based or powder solute. v/v % compares two liquid volumes; a solid dissolved in a liquid is better described by weight per volume.
• Expecting the volumes to add exactly for every pair of liquids. The tool assumes they do; for strong mixtures a graduated cylinder reading after mixing may differ slightly.
• Confusing v/v % with the strength printed on a bottle after dilution. The result is the concentration of the new mixture, not of the original stock liquid.