PPM Calculator

Calculate parts per million from values, or convert PPM to other units (percent, PPB, mg/L). Free online PPM calculator for chemistry, water quality, and environmental science.

💡 Enter a PPM value or a solute/solution ratio

Input (PPM value or solute/solution)

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How to Calculate PPM

Step-by-step guide with examples

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What is PPM?

Parts per million (PPM) is a unit of measurement used to express very small concentrations of one substance within another. 1 PPM means 1 part of substance per 1,000,000 parts of total solution. It is commonly used in chemistry, water quality testing, environmental science, and manufacturing. PPM is equivalent to: • 1 mg/kg (milligrams per kilogram) • 1 mg/L (milligrams per liter for dilute aqueous solutions) • 1 μg/g (micrograms per gram) • 0.0001% (percent)

PPM Formula

PPM = (mass of solute / mass of solution) × 1,000,000 Alternatively: • PPM = Percent × 10,000 • PPM = PPB ÷ 1,000 • Percent = PPM ÷ 10,000 • PPB = PPM × 1,000

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter a PPM value to convert it to percent, PPB, and mg/L 2. Enter a solute/solution ratio (e.g., 5/1000000) to calculate PPM concentration 3. Results include multiple unit conversions automatically 4. Use for water quality, air quality, chemical analysis, and more

PPM Examples

• 500 PPM = 0.05% = 500,000 PPB • 1 PPM = 0.0001% = 1,000 PPB • 10,000 PPM = 1% = 10,000,000 PPB • 250 PPM chlorine = 250 mg/L in water • 400 PPM CO₂ = typical atmospheric concentration

Common PPM Applications

• Water quality: chlorine (1-4 PPM), fluoride (0.7 PPM), lead (<15 PPB) • Air quality: CO₂ (~420 PPM), CO (<9 PPM over 8 hours) • Food & beverage: minerals, contaminants, additives • Manufacturing: tolerance specifications, alloy compositions • Agriculture: soil nutrient levels, pesticide concentrations

Frequently Asked Questions

7 common questions answered

7 Questions7 AnswersClick to expand

Q1What does PPM stand for?

PPM stands for Parts Per Million. It represents one unit of a substance per one million units of the total mixture. For example, 1 PPM of chlorine in water means there is 1 milligram of chlorine per liter of water (1 mg/L).

Q2How do I convert PPM to percent?

To convert PPM to percent, divide the PPM value by 10,000. For example, 5,000 PPM ÷ 10,000 = 0.5%. Conversely, to convert percent to PPM, multiply by 10,000.

Q3What is the difference between PPM and PPB?

PPM (parts per million) and PPB (parts per billion) differ by a factor of 1,000. 1 PPM = 1,000 PPB. PPB is used for even smaller concentrations, such as trace contaminants in drinking water.

Q4Is PPM the same as mg/L?

For dilute aqueous solutions (like water), PPM is approximately equal to mg/L (milligrams per liter) because the density of dilute solutions is close to 1 g/mL. For concentrated solutions or non-aqueous mixtures, they may differ.

Q5How do I calculate PPM from a ratio?

To calculate PPM from a ratio, divide the mass of the solute by the mass of the solution, then multiply by 1,000,000. For example, 5 grams of salt in 1,000,000 grams of water = 5 PPM.

Q6What is a safe PPM level for drinking water chlorine?

The EPA recommends chlorine levels of up to 4 PPM (4 mg/L) in drinking water. Most water systems maintain 0.2 to 4 PPM for effective disinfection.

Q7How do I convert PPM to mg/kg?

PPM and mg/kg are equivalent units. 1 PPM = 1 mg/kg. No conversion is needed — they represent the same concentration expressed in different notation.