CUSTOM PRODUCT REQUEST

Lye Calculator

Follow our easy, step-by-step calculator to calculate the amount of lye you need for the oils in your product.

Unlike other lye calculators, the HSCG Lye Calculator shows the expected range of the saponification value (SAP Value) of each oil and the actual SAP Value being used in the calculations. This information delivers a more accurate result.

Makers love its flexibility, because you can calculate by amount or percentage, using sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or both.

HSCG members also enjoy additional benefits, including setting a different SAP Value for any oil, then using it to compare calculations. Members can also save recipes for easy reference.

Step One Recipe Details

Enter in the specifications for your recipe. This information is used for your information (name and notes) and for doing the actual calculations for the lye for your soap recipe.

Maximum 50 characters.
Maximum 500 characters.

Step Two Select Oils

Click an oil to add it to your recipe. Click again to remove it.
Note: The oils listed are the ones for which we have specifications. Additional oils may be added in the next step.

Almond Oil, Sweet
Apricot Kernel Oil
Avocado Oil
Babassu Palm Oil
Beeswax
Blackcurrant Oil
Boabab Seed Oil
Borage Oil
Borage Oil (Dwarf)
Borneo Tallow Nut Oil
Brazil Nut Oil
Butterfat
Cameline Oil
Candlenut (Kukui) Oil
Canola Oil (low erucic)
Cashew Nut Oil
Castor Oil
Cherry Kernel Oil
Cocoa Butter
Coconut Oil
Cod Liver Oil
Coffee Bean Oil (Raw)
Coffee Bean Oil (Roasted)
Cohune Nut Oil
Corn Oil
Cottonseed Oil
Dhupa (Malabar) Fat
Domba (Tamanu) Fat
Emu Oil
Evening Primrose Oil
Filbert (Hazelnut) Oil
Ghee Butter (Buffalo Milk)
Goose Fat
Grape Seed Oil
Grapefruit Seed Oil
Hempseed Oil
Horse Fat
Illipe Butter
JoJoba Oil (golden, unrefined)
Jojoba Oil (lite, refined)
Kanya Tallow
Karanja (Pengam) Oil
Kokum Butter
Lard
Linseed (Flaxseed) Oil
Linseed Oil (low linolenic)
Mango Butter (Refined)
Mango Seed Oil
Meadowfoam Seed Oil
Mowrah Butter
Neem Oil
Neetsfoot Oil
Niger Seed Oil
Olive Oil
Olive Oil (pomace)
Olive Oil (refined)
Olive Oil (virgin)
Palm Kernel Oil
Palm Oil
Palm Olein
Palm Stearin
Papaya Seed Oil
Peach Kernel Oil
Peanut Oil
Pecan Nut Oil
Perilla Oil
Pine Nut Oil
Pistachio Nut Oil
Plum Kernal Oil
Poppyseed Oil
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Rapeseed Oil (low erucic)
Rapeseed Oil (unhybridized)
Rice Bran Oil
Safflower Oil (high linoleic)
Safflower Oil (high oleic)
Sal (Shorea) Fat
Sesame Seed Oil
Sheanut Butter
Soybean Oil
Sunflower Seed Oil
Sunflower Seed Oil (high oleic)
Sunflower Seed Oil (mid-oleic)
Tall Oil
Tallow (beef)
Teaseed Oil
Walnut Oil
Wheat Germ Oil

Step Three Oil Amounts

Enter the quantities for each of the oils you selected. The SAP value range for each oil is shown. The default SAP value used in the calculations is the average for the SAP value range.

Remove Selected
Oil / Sap RangeSAP ValueOunces
Please select at least one oil in Step Two.

Step Four Additional Oils

If you have any additional oils or ingredients which have SAP values and should be included in calculating the amount of lye, add them here.
Note: Other ingredients or additives for your recipe should be added in Part 5 (below).

Remove SelectedAdd Additional Oil
Oil / Sap RangeSAP ValueOunces
Please add your first additional oil.

Step Five Additives

If you have any more ingredients or additives to include in your recipe, add them here.
Note: Ingredients added here are not included in the lye calculations. Any oils that have saponification values should be added in Part 3 or 4 (above).

Remove SelectedAdd Additive
Ingredient / Additive NameAmount
Please add your first additive.

Step Six Options

Select the options for how your results will display.

Disclaimer: The Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild is providing this lye calculator to soapmakers free of charge. Every effort has been made to ensure that the SAP values used herein are accurate. However, even in the best case, the SAP values provided by reputable sources are only acceptable ranges for each oil. The actual SAP value being used in the calculations is the average of the highest and the lowest acceptable level for an oil and is generally considered the norm for calculating the lye necessary for soap. However, the actual SAP value of any batch of a particular oil may be somewhat higher or lower than the value used in the calculations here (even if it falls within the acceptable range). That all being said, the HSCG is not responsible for any injuries, losses or other damages that may result from using the information provided herein.

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The HSCG is proudly supported by our Sponsors

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Plant Power
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Boyer Corporation
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CandleScience, Inc.
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Soap Donation Center, Inc.
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The Lebermuth Company, Inc.

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Blossom Group
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Shay & Company, Inc.
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From Nature With Love
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Veracity Insurance Solutions
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SoapEquipment.com
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Soaper's Choice

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