Tie-Dye Calculator

Tie-dye dye quantity depends on the weight of fabric being dyed, the dye type, and the color intensity desired. Using too little dye produces washed-out colors; too much wastes expensive dye powder.

The Formula (Fiber Reactive / Procion MX Dyes):

Dye amount (grams) = Fabric weight (grams) × Depth of Shade (DOS)

Depth of Shade Reference:

Soda Ash (Activator) Formula:

Soda ash = Fabric weight × 10% (approximately 10g per 100g fabric)

Dissolve in water (1 tablespoon per 1 liter warm water) and pre-soak fabric for 15–20 minutes.

Urea (Humectant) for squeeze-bottle application:

Mix 1–2 tablespoons of urea per cup of water in your dye solution. Urea keeps the dye wet longer so it can bond to the fiber.

Worked Example:

Tie-dyeing 3 cotton T-shirts:

• Each shirt weighs ~200g → total fabric = 600g
• Desired: vibrant colors → DOS = 5%

Dye per color = 600 × 0.05 = 30g total divided across colors

If using 3 colors equally: 10g each

Mix each color into 250 mL warm water with 1 tbsp urea.

Practical Tips:

• Always use cotton or other cellulose fibers — Procion MX does not bond to polyester
• More folds and ties = more white space. Fewer = more color coverage
• Cure dyed fabric in a plastic bag for 12–24 hours before rinsing — this maximizes bond strength
• Rinse in cold water first, then warm, then hot to remove unbonded dye