Key Takeaways
- Molarity (M) measures moles of solute per liter of solution - most common in lab work
- Molality (m) uses kg of solvent, making it temperature-independent
- Mass percent is mass of solute divided by total mass, times 100
- ppm = parts per million, commonly used for trace amounts (1 ppm = 1 mg/L for aqueous solutions)
- Converting between units requires knowing molar mass and solution density
About the Concentration Converter
This concentration converter allows you to convert between different units of chemical concentration. Whether you're working in a laboratory, studying chemistry, or performing industrial calculations, understanding how to convert between concentration units is essential.
Concentration Unit Formulas
Molarity (M) = moles of solute / liters of solution
Molality (m) = moles of solute / kilograms of solvent
Concentration Unit Comparison
| Unit | Definition | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Molarity (M) | mol/L solution | Laboratory solutions, titrations |
| Molality (m) | mol/kg solvent | Colligative properties, thermodynamics |
| Mass Percent (%) | (g solute / g solution) x 100 | Commercial products, industry |
| Mole Fraction | mol solute / total mol | Gas mixtures, vapor pressure |
| ppm | mg/L or mg/kg | Water quality, trace analysis |
| ppb | microgram/L or microgram/kg | Environmental monitoring, ultra-trace |
Applications
This concentration converter is commonly used in:
- Academic research and education
- Professional chemistry laboratories
- Pharmaceutical formulations
- Environmental monitoring and water quality
- Industrial chemical processes
- Food science and beverage industry
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the concentration value you want to convert
- Select the source unit (From Unit)
- Select the target unit (To Unit)
- Enter the molar mass of your solute (e.g., NaCl = 58.44 g/mol)
- Enter the solution density (default is 1.0 g/mL for dilute aqueous solutions)
- Click "Convert" to see the result
Common Molar Masses
- NaCl (Table Salt): 58.44 g/mol
- H2SO4 (Sulfuric Acid): 98.08 g/mol
- NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide): 40.00 g/mol
- HCl (Hydrochloric Acid): 36.46 g/mol
- Glucose (C6H12O6): 180.16 g/mol
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between molarity and molality?
Molarity (M) is moles of solute per liter of solution, while molality (m) is moles of solute per kilogram of solvent. Molality is temperature-independent because it's based on mass, not volume.
When should I use ppm instead of molarity?
Use ppm (parts per million) for very dilute solutions, especially in environmental chemistry, water quality testing, and trace analysis. For solutions where concentration is less than 0.1%, ppm is often more practical.
Why do I need to know the density for conversions?
Converting between volume-based (molarity) and mass-based (molality, mass percent) concentrations requires knowing the density to relate volume to mass accurately.
Is this calculator accurate?
Yes, this calculator uses standard chemistry formulas and provides accurate results for educational and professional use. However, for precise laboratory work, always verify calculations and consider temperature effects on density.