Tattoo Ink Dilution Calculator
Calculate grey wash and watercolor tattoo ink dilution ratios.
Get exact ink-to-water volumes for five shade levels from light wash to solid black.
Tattoo Ink Dilution — Grey Wash and Watercolor
Diluting black tattoo ink with distilled water creates grey wash shading sets. The ink-to-water ratio determines the shade value for each wash.
Standard five-shade grey wash set:
| Shade | Ink % | Water % | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Whip shade | 10% | 90% | Lightest shadow, skin depth simulation |
| #2 Light wash | 25% | 75% | Subtle shading, distant shadows |
| #3 Medium wash | 50% | 50% | General shading, mid-tones |
| #4 Dark wash | 75% | 25% | Deep shadows, contrast areas |
| #5 Solid black | 100% | 0% | Outlines, darkest fills |
Important — always use distilled water: Tap water contains chlorine and minerals that can alter ink pH, cause skin reactions, or separate the pigment suspension. Distilled water is the only safe dilution medium.
Pre-made grey wash vs. DIY: Pre-made grey wash sets (World Famous, Intenze, Kuro Sumi) have consistent pigment loads and are recommended for professionals. DIY dilution is common for practice or when matching a specific black ink you already use.
For watercolor tattoo style: Watercolor effects use much higher water ratios than standard grey wash. Typical watercolor splash: 5-15% ink with water, applied with tapping motion. True “watercolor” tattoos use no outline and rely entirely on diluted color for form.
How to mix:
- Measure ink into a clean ink cap
- Add distilled water dropwise and stir with a clean tool
- Test on paper towel before use
- Label each cap with its ratio
- Use within 4 hours — ink and water can separate over time
Black ink selection for grey wash: Not all black inks dilute well. Carbon-based blacks (Eternal, Kuro Sumi) dilute cleanly. Iron oxide blacks can look muddy when heavily diluted. Test your ink before tattooing.
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
SuperGlobalCalculator is independently built and maintained. See how we build and verify our calculators.