Calculate weight/volume percent (% w/v) from solute mass and final solution volume, or find the solute mass or volume needed for a target % w/v.

% w/v means grams of solute per 100 mL of final solution. Use final solution volume after mixing, not solvent volume.

Use the total solution volume at the stated measurement condition.

Result unit

Weight Volume Percent Formula

The following two example problems outline the steps and information needed to calculate the Weight Volume Percent.

WVP = W / V × 100

Variables:

  • WVP is the Weight Volume Percent (%)
  • W is the solute mass (g) 
  • V is the final solution volume (mL) 

Use solute mass in grams divided by final solution volume in milliliters, then multiply by 100. This conventional % w/v value means grams of solute per 100 mL of final solution. Use solution volume after mixing, not the initial solvent volume; % w/v differs from % w/w and % v/v.

How to Calculate Weight Volume Percent?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Weight Volume Percent.

Example Problem #1:

  1. First, determine the solute mass (g).
    • The solute mass (g) is given as 12.
  2. Next, determine the final solution volume (mL).
    • The final solution volume (mL) is provided as 100.
  3. Finally, calculate the Weight Volume Percent using the equation above: 

WVP = W / V * 100

The values provided above are inserted into the equation below and computed.

WVP = 12 g / 100 mL × 100 = 12.00% w/v, equivalent to 120 g/L or 120 mg/mL.

Example Problem #2: 

For this problem, the variables required are provided below:

solute mass (g) = 13

final solution volume (mL) = 50

Test your knowledge and check your answer with the calculator.

WVP = 13 g / 50 mL × 100 = 26% w/v, equivalent to 260 g/L or 260 mg/mL.