Percent Solution Calculator
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How to Use the Percent Solution Calculator
Select the type of percent solution using the tabs — % w/v (weight per volume), % v/v (volume per volume), or % w/w (weight per weight). Then choose what to solve for and enter the known values. Click Calculate for instant results.
The Three Percent Solution Formulas
% w/v = (mass of solute in g / volume of solution in mL) × 100
% v/v = (volume of solute in mL / volume of solution in mL) × 100
% w/w = (mass of solute in g / mass of solution in g) × 100
% v/v = (volume of solute in mL / volume of solution in mL) × 100
% w/w = (mass of solute in g / mass of solution in g) × 100
Example Calculations
Example 1 — % w/v (Find %)
Dissolve 9 g NaCl in 1000 mL water.
% w/v = (9 / 1000) × 100 = 0.9% w/v
This is standard physiological saline.
% w/v = (9 / 1000) × 100 = 0.9% w/v
This is standard physiological saline.
Example 2 — % w/v (Find Mass)
Prepare 500 mL of 2% w/v agarose.
mass = (% × volume) / 100
= (2 × 500) / 100 = 10 g agarose
mass = (% × volume) / 100
= (2 × 500) / 100 = 10 g agarose
Example 3 — % v/v (Find %)
Add 70 mL ethanol to make 100 mL total.
% v/v = (70 / 100) × 100 = 70% v/v ethanol
% v/v = (70 / 100) × 100 = 70% v/v ethanol
Example 4 — % w/w (Find %)
5 g glucose dissolved in 95 g water (100 g total).
% w/w = (5 / 100) × 100 = 5% w/w glucose
% w/w = (5 / 100) × 100 = 5% w/w glucose
About Percent Solutions in the Laboratory
Percent solutions are widely used in biotechnology and biochemistry labs because they are simple to prepare and easy to communicate. There are three main types, each appropriate for different scenarios.
Which Type to Use?
% w/v — Most Common in Biotech
Used for solid solutes dissolved in liquid. Examples: 1% agarose gel, 0.9% NaCl saline, 10% SDS for PAGE, 5% BSA blocking buffer.
% v/v — Liquid in Liquid
Used when both solute and solvent are liquids. Examples: 70% ethanol for sterilisation, 10% DMSO for cell freezing, 0.1% Tween-20 in PBS.
% w/w — Mass Based
Used in food science, pharmacology and industrial chemistry. Less common in molecular biology. Requires knowing the density of the solution.
⚠️ Important Note
% w/v and % v/v assume the final volume of the solution (not the volume of solvent). Always make up to the final volume, not add to it.
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