Water / Lye Concentration Converter
Soapers describe water three different ways — as a percent of oil weight, as lye concentration, and as a water:lye ratio — and constantly need to translate between them. Enter any one version and get all three.
A. Describe Your Current Mix
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Lye concentration
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Water:lye ratio
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Water as % of oils
B. Find Water for a Target Concentration
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Water needed
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Total solution weight
Common Presets
| Name | Lye conc. | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Full water | ~28% | The classic default — maximum working time, easiest for intricate swirls. Longer to unmold and cure. |
| Standard | 33% | The modern sweet spot for most cold process batches — good working time with faster unmolding. |
| Water discount | 35–40% | Less water means faster trace and harder bars sooner. Best for experienced soapers; high discounts can seize or overheat. |
The math, in plain words: lye concentration is the lye’s share of the solution (lye ÷ lye + water). Water as % of oils is the water’s share of the oil weight — a totally different denominator, which is why a recipe can be “38% water” and “33% lye concentration” at the same time.
