Wizard Potion Dilution Calculator
How to use
- Enter your Initial Potion Strength (%).
- Enter your Target Strength (%) (must be ≤ the initial strength for dilution).
- Enter your Starting Volume (for example, mL).
- Calculate to see solvent to add and final volume.
The dilution formula (the “math behind the magic”)
Dilution keeps the amount of “active ingredient” constant while increasing total volume by adding solvent.
Symbols
- V = starting volume
- S = initial strength (%)
- T = target strength (%)
- Vfinal = final volume after dilution
- A = solvent amount to add
Core equations
Convert percentages to a ratio by dividing by 100 (for example, 80% → 0.8). Then:
Same-units rule: if V is in mL, A and Vfinal will be in mL too.
Interpreting the results
- Solvent to add (A): how much water/oil/neutral base (or “dragon tears” in-lore) to add to reach the target strength.
- Final volume (Vfinal): starting volume plus solvent added.
Worked example
Given: V = 50 mL, S = 80%, T = 40%
- Vfinal = 50 × (80 ÷ 40) = 100 mL
- A = 100 − 50 = 50 mL of solvent to add
Quick comparisons
| Starting (V, S) | Target (T) | Solvent to add (A) | Final volume (Vfinal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 mL @ 80% | 40% | 50 mL | 100 mL |
| 100 mL @ 60% | 30% | 100 mL | 200 mL |
| 25 mL @ 20% | 10% | 25 mL | 50 mL |
Limitations & assumptions
- Dilution only: this calculator assumes you are adding solvent (no evaporation/boiling off, no removing concentrate). Therefore, the target strength must be less than or equal to the initial strength (T ≤ S). If T > S, you can’t reach it by dilution—you’d need to concentrate or add more active ingredient.
- Percentage basis: strengths are treated as a generic concentration measure. In real chemistry, “%” can mean % v/v, % w/w, or % w/v; results differ if density changes matter.
- Volume additivity: assumes volumes add linearly (final volume = starting + solvent). Some real mixtures shrink/expand slightly when combined.
- Same units in/out: if you enter mL, you’ll get mL back. Don’t mix units (e.g., mL and oz) unless you convert first.
- Rounding: displayed values may be rounded; keep extra precision for lab-grade work.
- Safety note: the fantasy theme is for fun/education. Don’t use this page as medical, chemical, or food-safety guidance.
Measuring guidance
The dilution equation assumes the initial strength and target strength describe the same kind of concentration. If the starting value is percent by volume, the target should also be percent by volume. If the starting value is percent by mass, the target should also be percent by mass. Mixing bases can make the volume answer look precise while representing the wrong physical quantity.
For kitchen, craft, classroom, or game-master planning, round the solvent amount to a measurement you can actually pour. For laboratory work, record the active ingredient basis, solvent identity, temperature, and glassware tolerance. Those details matter more than the fantasy labels when you need repeatable mixtures.
Result sanity checks
The final volume should always be greater than or equal to the starting volume for a valid dilution. If the solvent amount is zero, the target strength equals the initial strength. If the solvent amount is larger than expected, the target strength is much weaker than the original and the final batch may be too large for the container.
When planning a batch, compare the final volume with your bottle or flask capacity before mixing. If the final volume is too large, reduce the starting volume and recalculate rather than trying to pour off part of the mixture after dilution.
For tabletop game notes, record both the original strength and the final strength. That makes it easier to keep potion effects consistent across sessions and prevents later confusion about whether a listed volume is before or after dilution.