Question

How to Calculate Dilution Ratios:

Answer 1

How to Calculate Dilution Ratios:
Dilution ratios are expressed in two ways, either 1 to a given number (such as 1:64) or in terms
of ounces per gallon (2 ounces per gallon).
If you need to calculate the ounces per gallon remember that there are 128 ounces in a gallon,
so a 1 ounce per gallon product dilutes at a ratio of 1:128 and ½ and ¼ ounce products dilute at
1:256 and 1:512 respectively. A common method to determine ounces per gallon is to take 128
and divide it by the ratio number. For instance, a product that has a dilution ratio of 1:256 would
be calculated like this: 128÷256 =.5 ounces per gallon
Some of the more common ratios are provided in the table below:
Ounce per gallon Dilution Ratios
¼ ounce per gallon 1:512
½ ounce per gallon 1:256
1 ounce per gallon 1:128
2 ounces per gallon 1:64
4 ounces per gallon 1:32
5 ounces per gallon 1:26 (1:25.6 rounded)
6 ounces per gallon 1:21 (commonly considered 1:20)
8 ounces per gallon 1:16
12 ounces per gallon 1:10
If a product has a ratio of 1:128 you would mix one part of the product to 128 parts of water.
That means that the gallon of product will make 129 total gallons of solution because to mix it
properly you would take the gallon of product and add 128 gallons of water which equals 129
total gallons. A 1:256 product makes 257 gallons of end use solution and a 1:64 makes 65
gallons of solution. The total amount of solution that a given container of product makes is
commonly referred to as the yield.
Metric calculations such as liters can be calculate, you just need to convert the metric figures to
gallons or ounces prior to starting. Common metric volume measurements and there English
equivalents are listed below:
1 quart = 0.946 mL
1 gallon = 3.785 liters
1 liter = 0.264 gallons
4 liters = 1.056 gallons