PPM Converter
Use our ppm converter to convert concentrations in one unit to other parts-per expressions.
Joe is the creator of Inch Calculator and has over 20 years of experience in engineering and construction. He holds several degrees and certifications.
How to Convert a Concentration to PPM
Understanding how to convert parts-per units like parts per billion (ppb) and parts per cent (%) to parts per million (ppm) is essential for chemists, scientists, and other students or professionals who work with concentration amounts.
Some common parts-per expressions for concentration amounts are:
- parts per cent (%): 1 part per 100
- parts per mille (‰): 1 part per 1000
- parts per ten thousand (‱): 1 part per 10,000
- parts per hundred thousand (pcm): 1 part per 100,000
- parts per million (ppm): 1 part per 1,000,000
- parts per billion (ppb): 1 part per 1,000,000,000
- parts per trillion (ppt): 1 part per 1,000,000,000,000
To convert concentration between these units, you need to understand the basic conversion factors between them. The table below shows the equivalent values for various concentrations.
| % | ‰ | ‱ | pcm | ppm | ppb | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | 1 | 0.1 | 0.01 | 0.001 | 0.0001 | 10−7 |
| ‰ | 10 | 1 | 0.1 | 0.01 | 0.001 | 10−6 |
| ‱ | 100 | 10 | 1 | 0.1 | 0.01 | 10−5 |
| pcm | 1,000 | 100 | 10 | 1 | 0.1 | 0.0001 |
| ppm | 10,000 | 1,000 | 100 | 10 | 1 | 0.001 |
| ppb | 107 | 106 | 105 | 10,000 | 1,000 | 1 |
For instance, to convert ppm to a percent, the conversion ratio shown in the table is 0.0001.
For example, let’s convert 5 parts per million to parts per billion.
Start by finding the column in the conversion value in the table above for ppm, since that’s the starting expression. Note that the conversion to ppb is 1,000 in the table.
Next, multiply 5 ppm to ppb by multiplying by 1,000.
5 ppm × 1,000 = 5,000 ppb
So, a concentration of 5 ppm is equal to 5,000 ppb.
You can also use our ppm to ppb converter to solve this.
You can use our ppm calculator to calculate a concentration in parts per million.