Vinegar Dilution Calculator
Use this vinegar dilution calculator to dilute strong cleaning vinegar (often 30% or 20%) down to 5% or any target acidity. Enter the stock %, the % you want, and the final volume — it returns the vinegar and water to combine.
Enter the stock %, the % you want, and the final volume to get the vinegar and water to combine.
How to dilute cleaning vinegar
Diluting vinegar just adds water and keeps the amount of acetic acid the same, so the dilution equation applies with acidity as the concentration:
C₁ is the stock acidity (e.g. 30%), C₂ is the acidity you want (e.g. 5%), and V₂ is the final volume. Solve for the vinegar to use:
The water to add is V₂ − V₁. Wear gloves with strong vinegar, keep it away from bleach, and store the diluted mix in a labelled spray bottle.
Worked example
You have 30% vinegar and want 500 mL of 5%: V₁ = (5 × 500) ÷ 30 ≈ 83 mL of vinegar plus 417 mL of water.
Common vinegar dilutions by use
"How much do I dilute it?" depends entirely on what it's for — these are typical starting points:
| Use | Starting vinegar | Typical dilution |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose cleaning spray | 5% white vinegar | 1:1 with water |
| Descaling kettles / coffee makers | 5–6% white vinegar | Undiluted or 1:1 |
| Horticultural weed killer | 20–30% vinegar | Near full-strength, per label |
| Laundry fabric softener | 5% white vinegar | ~120 mL per load, undiluted |
| Produce wash | 5% white vinegar | 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water |
Related tools
To dilute hydrogen peroxide the same way, use the hydrogen peroxide dilution calculator, or work from a ratio with the dilution ratio calculator.
Frequently asked questions
›How do I dilute 30% cleaning vinegar to 5%?
Use V₁ = (C₂ × V₂) ÷ C₁. To make 500 mL of 5% from 30% vinegar: V₁ = (5 × 500) ÷ 30 ≈ 83 mL of vinegar, topped up with about 417 mL of water. That is close to a 1 part vinegar to 5 parts water mix.
›What ratio dilutes 30% vinegar to normal strength?
Ordinary white vinegar is about 5%. Going from 30% to 5% is a 6× dilution, so roughly 1 part 30% vinegar to 5 parts water. Enter your exact target and volume above for the precise amounts.
›Is diluted vinegar still good for cleaning?
Yes. 5% is the everyday cleaning strength, and diluting only lowers acidity — the acetic acid itself is unchanged. Never mix vinegar with bleach, and avoid using it on natural stone like marble or granite, which acid can etch.
›Is this vinegar dilution calculator free?
Yes. It runs entirely in your browser, needs no sign-up, and never sends your numbers to a server.
›Should I dilute vinegar for weed killing?
Horticultural vinegar (20-30% acetic acid) is usually applied near full strength for weed control — check the product label. Household 5% vinegar is too weak to reliably kill established weeds even undiluted.
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