Enter your Blank Titration Volume, Sample Titration Volume, HCl Molarity, and Sample Weight into the Saponification Value Calculator, and it'll work out your Saponification Value along with the NaOH and KOH required per gram of oil — plus an Oil Quality Assessment when you select your Oil/Fat Type as a reference.
Saponification Value
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NaOH Required per 1g Oil
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KOH Required per 1g Oil
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Oil Quality Assessment
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Saponification value (SV) is the amount of potassium hydroxide (KOH) in milligrams needed to completely saponify one gram of fat or oil. It indicates the average molecular weight of fatty acids in the oil and helps determine soap-making properties.
Saponification value is calculated using the formula: SV = (Blank - Sample) × Molarity × 56.1 / Weight, where Blank and Sample are titration volumes in ml, Molarity is the HCl concentration, and Weight is the sample weight in grams.
A high saponification value indicates the presence of shorter chain fatty acids in the oil. Oils with high SV values (like coconut oil) produce harder soaps with more lather, while low SV oils create softer, more conditioning soaps.
Yes, saponification value and saponification number are the same thing. Both terms refer to the mg of KOH required to saponify 1g of fat or oil. The terms are used interchangeably in soap making and oil analysis.
Coconut oil has a high SV (248-265), olive oil has a medium SV (184-196), while oils like jojoba have very low SV (92-95). Most common soap-making oils range between 135-265 mg KOH/g.
Saponification value determines exactly how much lye is needed to convert oils into soap. Using the correct amount prevents excess lye (caustic soap) or insufficient lye (oily, soft soap). It's essential for creating safe, high-quality soap.
Saponification value measurements should be accurate to within ±2-3 units for soap making purposes. Professional soap makers often use safety margins (superfat) of 5-8% to account for small variations and ensure complete saponification.