Emulsion HLB Value Calculator

Work out emulsion hlb value instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Emulsion HLB Value Calculator

The hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of a blend is the weighted average of its components, so the fraction of the high-HLB emulsifier is (required - low HLB) / (high HLB - low HLB). Oil-in-water emulsions typically need HLB 8-16 and water-in-oil emulsions 3-6, with each oil having its own required HLB.

Formula

HLB blending

Fraction of high-HLB emulsifier = (required HLB - low HLB) / (high HLB - low HLB)

Worked example

With the default values below, Emulsion HLB Value Calculator returns High-HLB Emulsifier Mass of 25.000. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Emulsifier A HLBaccepts 0–20: 4.3
Emulsifier B HLBaccepts 0–20: 16.7
Required HLB Of Oil Phaseaccepts 0–20: 10.5
Total Emulsifierminimum 0 g: 50 g

Results

High-HLB Emulsifier Mass: 25.000
Low-HLB Emulsifier Mass: 25.000
Fraction Of High-HLB Emulsifier: 50.000%
Blend Feasibility: Required HLB achievable with this pair

Step by step

1Values used
2HLB blending
3High-HLB Emulsifier Mass= 25.000
4Low-HLB Emulsifier Mass= 25.000
5Fraction Of High-HLB Emulsifier= 50.000
6Blend Feasibility= Required HLB achievable with this pair

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do required HLB values come from?

From published tables for each oil, or determined experimentally by making a series of emulsions across an HLB range and finding the most stable. Mixed oil phases use a weighted average of required HLBs.

Is HLB sufficient to design an emulsion?

No. It predicts the direction and rough stability but ignores emulsifier chemistry, interfacial film strength, phase volume and processing. It narrows the search rather than giving the answer.