Percent Solution Calculator

Find solution concentration from solute mass, solution volume, mass, or density.

Covers w/v%, w/w%, v/v%, ppm, and custom mass per volume with metric and imperial units.

Updated September 5, 2026
Frank Zhao - Creator
CreatorFrank Zhao
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What is mass by volume percent?

To make a solution, you add some solute to a solvent. The mass by volume percent (w/v%) is the solute content of that solution: grams of solute per 100 mL of solution. Solvents are usually liquid, so substances dissolve and spread evenly in them, while solutes can be virtually anything that dissolves.

This calculator also works as a percent weight (w/w%) calculator and a percent volume (v/v%) calculator. Expand the extra sections to convert the same concentration into mass per volume, parts per million, or a custom mass per volume ratio.

How to use this calculator

Each section is a group of related fields. Enter any two known values in a group and the third is solved automatically. All sections stay linked through the shared solute mass, solution volume, and concentration.

1

Enter the mass of your solute

For example 32 g of sugar. Switch mass units freely with the dropdown.

2

Enter the volume of the solution

For example 162 mL of sugar-water solution.

3

Read the mass to volume percentage

With 32 g in 162 mL the calculator shows about 19.753%.

4

Explore the other sections

See mass per volume (g/mL), parts per million, custom mass per volume, weight percentage, and volume percentage.

Worked example — mass by volume percent

Dissolve 7.8 g of sugar and bring the total solution volume to 62 mL. What is the w/v%?

w/v%=7.8 g62 mL×100\text{w/v\%} = \frac{7.8\ \mathrm{g}}{62\ \mathrm{mL}} \times 100==12.58%12.58\%

Worked example — mass percent

A 150-gram solution contains 46 g of solute. What is the mass percentage?

w/w%=46 g150 g×100\text{w/w\%} = \frac{46\ \mathrm{g}}{150\ \mathrm{g}} \times 100==30.67%30.67\%

Formulas and variables

Weight by volume percent (w/v%)

w/v%=msolute (g)Vsolution (mL)×100\text{w/v\%} = \frac{m_{\text{solute}}\ (\mathrm{g})}{V_{\text{solution}}\ (\mathrm{mL})} \times 100

Grams of solute per 100 mL of solution. The standard strength unit for liquid pharmacy preparations and clinical solutions.

Weight percentage (w/w%)

w/w%=msolutemsolution×100\text{w/w\%} = \frac{m_{\text{solute}}}{m_{\text{solution}}} \times 100

Mass of solute divided by total solution mass, times 100. Practical when gravimetric measurements are easier than volumetric ones.

Volume percentage (v/v%)

v/v%=VsoluteVsolution×100\text{v/v\%} = \frac{V_{\text{solute}}}{V_{\text{solution}}} \times 100

Volume of solute divided by total solution volume, times 100. If you know the solute mass and its density, the solute volume follows from d=m/Vd = m / V.

Other concentration units

ppm=w/v%×10000\text{ppm} = \text{w/v\%} \times 10000
mass per volume=w/v%100\text{mass per volume} = \frac{\text{w/v\%}}{100}

The mass-per-volume field shows the same concentration as g/mL, the ppm field shows parts per million, and the custom ratio shows the solute mass for any solution volume you choose.

Tips and common mistakes

1

w/v% uses mL, not L

The formula expects milliliters. Entering liters without switching the unit dropdown causes a 1000× error.

2

w/v% is not w/w%

Mass per volume and mass per mass agree only for dilute aqueous solutions. Check which one your protocol requires.

3

Density links mass and volume

Use the density checkbox when you know the solute density: volume follows from mass divided by density.

4

ppm is for dilute solutions

1% w/v equals 10,000 ppm. Reserve ppb for trace concentrations.

Limitations

Percent concentrations assume volumes are additive and measured at the same temperature. For concentrated, non-ideal, or temperature-sensitive solutions, volumes may not add linearly.

Volumes are not always additive

Mixing 50 mL of ethanol with 50 mL of water gives less than 100 mL of solution. Always measure the final solution volume directly instead of summing component volumes.

Temperature changes volume

Liquids expand and contract with temperature, so a w/v% prepared at 20 °C will read slightly differently at 37 °C. Note the preparation temperature for sensitive work.

Non-ideal concentrated solutions

In concentrated brines, syrups, or polymer solutions, solute–solvent interactions shift density and volume. Prefer molality (mol/kg solvent) when accuracy matters.

Use the right percent type

w/v%, w/w%, and v/v% agree only for dilute aqueous solutions. Pick the definition your protocol specifies — they diverge for dense or concentrated mixtures.

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Percent Solution Calculator: w/v%, w/w% & v/v%