Scale oil, water, emulsifier, and other phases by batch size, reverse-size a formula, or calculate a two-emulsifier HLB blend.

All phase percentages are by mass, with emulsifier counted separately from oil/water. HLB blending is a planning estimate for compatible emulsifiers; it does not establish stability, preservation or product safety.

Related Calculators

Emulsion Formula

This calculator uses mass percentages to scale phase masses, reverse-size a batch from desired oil mass, or estimate a two-emulsifier HLB blend. Oil, water and emulsifier are counted separately.

OP = (mₒil / mₜotal) × 100

Variables:

  • OP% is the oil phase percentage (%)
  • m_oil is the oil-phase mass (g)
  • m_total is the total batch mass (g)

Oil mass percentage is oil mass divided by total batch mass, multiplied by 100. To find phase masses in the calculator, multiply batch mass by each entered percentage divided by 100. Reverse mode uses batch mass = desired oil mass / (oil percentage / 100). HLB mode uses A fraction = (target HLB − HLB B) / (HLB A − HLB B); the target must be between distinct A/B values. Equal A/B values matching the target do not determine a unique ratio. HLB is a planning guide, not proof of stability, preservation or safety.

What is Emulsion?

An emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids that are normally immiscible (unmixable or unblendable) due to the presence of an emulsifying agent. This agent, often a type of surfactant, reduces the surface tension between the liquids, allowing them to blend together. Emulsions are commonly found in various areas such as food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and paints, with examples including milk (an emulsion of water and fat) and mayonnaise (an emulsion of oil in water).

How to Calculate Emulsion?

The following steps show the oil mass percentage by hand. Enter known phase percentages in the calculator to obtain phase masses, or choose batch-size or HLB-blend mode.

  1. First, determine the oil-phase mass (m_oil) in grams (g).
  2. Next, determine the total batch mass (m_total) in grams (g).
  3. Next, use OP% = (m_oil / m_total) × 100. Do not substitute volumes unless component densities and the chosen basis are explicitly handled.
  4. Finally, calculate the OP%.
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Oil-phase mass (m_oil) = 50 g

Total batch mass (m_total) = 200 g; oil mass percentage = 50 / 200 × 100 = 25%.