Concentration Converter
Convert between different concentration units like mg/L, ppm, ppb, mol/L, and more. Perfect for chemistry, water quality testing, and laboratory work.
What is Concentration?
Concentration tells us how much of one thing is mixed with another thing. Think of it like making juice. If you add a lot of juice powder to water, you get strong juice. If you add just a little powder, you get weak juice. Concentration works the same way with chemicals in water or other liquids.
Scientists use different ways to measure concentration. Some common ways are mg/L (milligrams per liter), ppm (parts per million), and ppb (parts per billion). Each way helps us understand how much of something is in a solution.
Common Concentration Units
mg/L (Milligrams per Liter)
Shows how many milligrams of a substance are in one liter of solution. Very common in water testing and medicine. Same as ppm for water solutions.
ppm (Parts per Million)
Means one part of substance in one million parts of solution. Like finding one drop in a small swimming pool. Equal to mg/L in water.
ppb (Parts per Billion)
Even smaller than ppm. One part in one billion parts. Used for very small amounts like trace pollution in water.
g/L (Grams per Liter)
Shows grams of substance in one liter. Used when there is a lot of the substance in the solution, like salt in seawater.
µg/L (Micrograms per Liter)
Very small amounts. One microgram is one millionth of a gram. Same as ppb for water solutions. Used for trace elements.
% (Percent by Weight)
Shows how much of the solution is the substance by weight. Like 5% means 5 grams out of every 100 grams of solution.
Common Conversion Examples
| Input Value | From Unit | To Unit | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | mg/L | ppm | 1 ppm |
| 1000 | ppb | ppm | 1 ppm |
| 1 | g/L | mg/L | 1000 mg/L |
| 1 | % | ppm | 10,000 ppm |
| 1 | µg/L | ppb | 1 ppb |
| 1 | ppm | ppb | 1000 ppb |
How It Works
Our concentration converter uses simple math to change one unit to another. We first convert your number to mg/L (our base unit), then convert it to the unit you want.
For example, to convert ppm to ppb, we multiply by 1000 because there are 1000 times more parts in a billion than in a million. The converter does all this math for you instantly.
Enter Value
Type the concentration value you want to convert
Select Units
Choose from and to units from dropdown menus
Where Do We Use Concentration?
Water Quality Testing
We test drinking water to make sure it is safe. We check for things like chlorine, fluoride, and harmful chemicals. The amounts are usually very small, so we use units like ppm and ppb.
Medicine and Health
Doctors need to know how much medicine is in your blood. Too little won't help, and too much can be dangerous. They measure this in mg/L or similar units.
Food and Cooking
When making food, we need the right amount of salt, sugar, or preservatives. Food companies use concentration to make sure their products taste good and stay fresh.
Environmental Science
Scientists check air and water pollution using concentration measurements. They want to keep pollution levels low to protect plants, animals, and people.
Tips for Understanding Concentration
Think About Everyday Examples
Concentration is like making coffee. Strong coffee has more coffee grounds per cup of water. Weak coffee has less. The "concentration" of coffee grounds is higher in strong coffee.
Remember the Size Order
From biggest to smallest: % (percent) → g/L → mg/L = ppm → µg/L = ppb → ng/L = ppt. Each step is about 1000 times smaller than the one before it.
Use Simple Math
To convert from mg/L to g/L, divide by 1000. To go from ppm to ppb, multiply by 1000. Our converter does this math for you automatically.
Check Your Answers
If you convert a big number to a smaller unit, your answer should be a bigger number. If something seems wrong, try the conversion again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between mg/L and ppm?
For water solutions, mg/L and ppm are exactly the same. Both mean milligrams of substance per liter of water. Scientists use both terms interchangeably.
How do I convert ppm to ppb?
To convert ppm to ppb, multiply by 1000. For example, 1 ppm = 1000 ppb. This is because billion is 1000 times larger than million.
What does parts per trillion (ppt) mean?
PPT means 1 part of substance in 1 trillion parts of solution. It's used for extremely small concentrations, like trace pollutants in water.
When should I use g/L instead of mg/L?
Use g/L when dealing with high concentrations where the substance makes up a significant portion of the solution, like salt in seawater.
Is this converter accurate for all liquids?
This converter works perfectly for aqueous (water-based) solutions. For other solvents, density differences may affect the accuracy of mass-based conversions.