Glaze

Glaze Specific Gravity Calculator

Measure glaze specific gravity and calculate how much water to add or remove to reach a target SG.

Updated

g

Use a 100mL graduated cylinder. Subtract container weight.

Typical dipping glaze: 1.40–1.50 SG

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Results

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Enter your measurements above and click Calculate.

Glaze Consistency & Specific Gravity

Glaze specific gravity controls application thickness. A higher SG means more glaze solids per milliliter, producing a thicker layer on bisqueware. Most dipping glazes are formulated to work at SG 1.40–1.50 for a single dip that delivers a 0.5–1mm dry glaze layer.

Water Adjustment Formula

To calculate how much water to add to reach a target SG given a known glaze volume:

water_to_add_mL = (current_weight / target_SG) − glaze_volume_mL

This is derived from: total_glaze_weight / (volume + ΔW) = target_SG, where ΔW is the water added (and its volume in mL equals its weight in grams).

SG by Application Type

SGConsistency
1.30 – 1.40Very thin — layering, trailing
1.40 – 1.50Dipping (standard)
1.50 – 1.60Thick single-dip / brushing
> 1.60Too thick — dilute

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I measure glaze specific gravity? expand_more
Use a 100mL graduated cylinder. Fill it to the 100mL mark with well-mixed glaze, then weigh it minus the container weight. That weight in grams divided by 100 equals the specific gravity. For example, 145g = SG 1.45.
What SG should my dipping glaze be? expand_more
Most dipping glazes work well between SG 1.40–1.50. Thicker, more viscous glazes for single-dip coverage work at 1.50–1.60. Test on a tile first — the right SG produces a glaze layer of about 0.5–1mm when dry.
Why does glaze SG change over time? expand_more
Water evaporates from an uncovered glaze bucket, raising SG over time. Materials may also settle and compact. Always re-stir and re-test SG before each use.