What is the correct ratio of hair color to developer?

Author: Dr. Torey McKenzie I  |  Last update: Wednesday, May 28, 2025

As a general rule, a 1:2 ratio of hair color to developer is recommended, but you may need to adjust the proportions depending on the color line and the desired results. And if math isn't your strong suit, don't worry - just use a digital scale to measure the correct amount.

How much developer do I mix with hair color?

Mixing Ratio: - The typical mixing ratio is 1:1 for most permanent dyes and developers. For example, if you use 2 ounces of dye, mix it with 2 ounces of developer. - Some brands may recommend different ratios, so always check the instructions on the dye packaging.

What is the mixing ratio for so color?

Mixing Ratio: 1:1 SoColor Extra Coverage + 20 Volume (6%) Matrix Cream Developer. Application: Clean Dry Hair. Processing Time: Processing Time: Up to 45 minutes at room temperature. *Process full 45 minutes for resistant gray hair.

Should I use 10 or 20 developer to darken hair?

If you are trying to go darker or just deposit the color, a low-level developer like a 10 vol (or lower in some brands) would be used. If you are using a permanent, they usually use a higher developer like 20, to lift the hair and deposit color at the same time.

What happens if I use 10 developer instead of 20?

Hair dye volumes refer to the strength of the developer, which impacts the level of color lift. A 10 Volume developer provides minimal lift, perfect for depositing color. A 20 Volume developer lifts hair by 1-2 levels, while a 30 Volume developer lifts by 2-3 levels.

hair color ratios explained + how to use a scale to weigh color | 2024

What is the ratio of developer to color for gray hair?

The typical ratio is 1 part hair color to 1.5 or 2 parts developer for effective gray coverage.

What is the ratio of color mixing?

Mix all three colours together in a 1:1:1 ratio, and you'll get white light. This method of colour mixing is also known as RGB, for Red, Green and Blue. These simple ratios give you the basic colour building blocks, but things get much more interesting when you start experimenting with more complex ratios.

What is the perfect color ratio?

Color Contrast Ratios Guidance

Whenever using color in images, ensure that the colors have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. This ensures that the text is still readable to those who may have color blindness. There are online tools to check color contrast ratio such as this one provided by WebAIM (External Site).

How do you mix the perfect hair color?

If you want your primary Colour to dominate use a 3/4 primary Hair Colour with 1/4 secondary Colour ratio. If you want an even contribution of each Colour, a 1/2 primary Hair Colour and 1/2 secondary Hair Colour ratio will give you the perfect balance.

What happens if you put too much developer in hair dye?

Using too much developer can lead to over-processing, which means that the hair cuticles can get damaged, leaving the hair looking dull, dry, and brittle. Plus, the color won't turn out the way you want it to, and you might even end up with a funky, uneven color that looks like a unicorn threw up on your head.

What developer is best for gray hair?

The standard developer for gray coverage is 20 Volume; however, 30 Volume and 40 Volume can also be used if the percentage of gray is low and additional lift is needed to achieve the desired result.

How much developer do you put with dye?

1:2 Hair dye to developer ratio

A 1:2 ratio means for every part dye, you add two parts developer.

How to measure hair color and developer without a scale?

For those without a scale, plastic measuring cups can measure the required amounts of hair color and developer. Ensure you scrape out every bit from the cups to avoid inaccuracies in your mixture.

What is the best color ratio?

Color contrast guidelines indicate that there should be at least a 4.5:1 ratio between the foreground content and the background content.

What is the golden ratio for hair?

The golden ratio is the term used to describe the proportion between a temple's width and its distance from another temple. The distance between the hairline and the eyebrows and the distance between the hairline and the top of the head are both in the golden ratio, which can also be applied to the hairline.

What is the color ratio rule?

What is the 60-30-10 Rule? It's a classic decor rule that helps create a color palette for a space. It states that 60% of the room should be a dominant color, 30% should be the secondary color or texture and the last 10% should be an accent.

What is the color mixing rule?

The cardinal rule of color mixing in painting and drawing media is, “Don't mix too much.” Even if you're using the right colors, overmixing can dull a mixture. A good mixture shows the original colors used and the mixture itself–for example, yellow and blue, as well as green.

What is the standard mixing ratio?

1.Standard Mix Ratio (Nominal Mix)

M10 (1:3:6): Used for lightweight structures and levelling courses. M15 (1:2:4): Ideal for pavements and floors that don't bear heavy loads. M20 (1:1.5:3): Commonly used for slabs, beams, and columns in residential buildings.

How do you calculate color ratio?

Calculating a Contrast Ratio

Contrast ratios can range from 1 to 21 (commonly written 1:1 to 21:1). (L1 + 0.05) / (L2 + 0.05), whereby: L1 is the relative luminance of the lighter of the colors, and. L2 is the relative luminance of the darker of the colors.

What color covers grey hair best?

Brown hair colors for gray hair are the sweet spot for gray coverage if your natural shade is medium blonde to dark brown. They are also ideal if you're gray all over.

What is the best color depositing conditioner?

Our favorite color-depositing conditioner is the dpHue Gloss+ thanks to its wide range of shades, easy application, and ability to soften and hydrate hair. For a clear gloss that adds shine to any hair color, we recommend the Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Sheer.

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