Hair Color Mixing Calculator

Hair color mixing follows a simple ratio formula that determines how much of each color product to combine in order to achieve a target shade. Most professional hair color systems use a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio of color to developer, and blending two shades uses proportional mixing.

Developer mixing formula: Developer Volume = Color Volume × Developer Ratio

Standard ratios:

• 1:1: 50ml color + 50ml developer (typical for permanent color)
• 1:1.5: 50ml color + 75ml developer (some brands for gray coverage)
• 1:2: 50ml color + 100ml developer (lighteners, bleach)

Shade blending formula: To mix two shades (A and B) to get a target midpoint: Ratio A : Ratio B (e.g. 50:50 for equal parts, 70:30 for predominant A)

Total volume calculation: Total Mix = Color A Volume + Color B Volume + Developer

Where:

• Color A / B volumes: the individual color product amounts
• Developer: hydrogen peroxide mixed with color; higher volume (strength) lifts hair more
• Developer Volume: 10 Vol (3%) deposits only; 20 Vol (6%) lifts 1–2 levels; 30 Vol (9%) lifts 3 levels; 40 Vol (12%) maximum lift, used with bleach

What each variable means:

• Lift: removing existing pigment; stronger developer = more lift
• Deposit: adding new pigment; any developer volume deposits color
• Tone: warm (gold/copper), cool (ash/violet), neutral; tones neutralize opposite tones on the color wheel
• Gray coverage: gray hair is resistant; formulas with higher color-to-developer ratio (1:1 with 20 Vol) give better gray coverage

Reference: developer volumes and their effect:

• 10 Volume (3%): No lift, deposit only: refreshing color, toning
• 20 Volume (6%): 1–2 levels of lift: standard permanent color
• 30 Volume (9%): 2–3 levels of lift: lightening dark hair
• 40 Volume (12%): Maximum lift: typically used with bleach only

Worked example: Mixing two shades: 60% shade 7.3 (golden blonde) + 40% shade 7.1 (ash blonde). Total color needed: 50ml. Developer ratio: 1:1.5.

• Color A = 50 × 0.60 = 30ml of 7.3
• Color B = 50 × 0.40 = 20ml of 7.1
• Developer = 50 × 1.5 = 75ml (20 Volume)
• Total mix = 30 + 20 + 75 = 125ml

Result: a warm-neutral blonde that leans golden with slight ash to prevent brasiness. Mix in a non-metallic bowl and apply within 30–45 minutes.