Enter the concentration of the substance in the sample and the total volume of the sample into the calculator to determine the concentration in parts per billion (ppb). This calculator can also evaluate any of the variables given the others are known.

Ppb (Parts Per Billion) Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the concentration of a substance in parts per billion (ppb). 

ppb = (C / T) * 10^9

Variables:

  • ppb is the concentration in parts per billion (ppb)
  • C is the concentration of the substance in the sample (mg/L)
  • T is the total volume of the sample (L)

To calculate the concentration in ppb, divide the concentration of the substance in the sample by the total volume of the sample. Then, multiply the result by 10 to the power of 9.

What is a Ppb (Parts Per Billion)?

Ppb, or parts per billion, is a unit of measurement used to denote the concentration of a substance within another substance. It represents the ratio of the amount of one substance to a billion parts of the total mixture. For example, one ppb could mean one molecule of a particular substance mixed into a billion molecules of another substance. It is commonly used in scientific research, environmental pollution studies, and in the measurement of very low concentrations of a substance.

How to Calculate Ppb (Parts Per Billion)?

The following steps outline how to calculate the concentration in parts per billion (ppb) using the formula: ppb = (C / T) * 10^9

  1. First, determine the concentration of the substance in the sample (C) in milligrams per liter (mg/L).
  2. Next, determine the total volume of the sample (T) in liters (L).
  3. Next, use the formula ppb = (C / T) * 10^9 to calculate the concentration in parts per billion (ppb).
  4. Finally, calculate the ppb value.
  5. After inserting the values of C and T into the formula 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:

Concentration of the substance in the sample (C) = 5 mg/L

Total volume of the sample (T) = 2 L