Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that capture the natural essence and beneficial properties of plants. They are commonly used in aromatherapy, personal care products, cleaning supplies, and more. Essential oils are typically sold in small glass bottles with a dropper top for convenient measuring and dispensing. But how many drops make up 1 ml of oil? The answer depends on the thickness and density of the particular essential oil.
Quick Answer
As a general guideline, most essential oils contain 20-25 drops per milliliter. So 1 ml of essential oil typically equals 20-25 drops. However, this can vary based on the specific oil. Thinner, less viscous oils like lemon or tea tree may contain closer to 25 drops per ml. Thicker, more dense oils like patchouli or sandalwood may contain closer to 20 drops per ml. The easiest way to determine the actual drop count is to manually count the number of drops it takes to equal 1 ml of a particular oil.
What Influences Essential Oil Density?
There are a few key factors that affect the density and viscosity of essential oils, which in turn affects the number of drops per milliliter:
- Plant source – Different plants naturally contain different concentrations and compositions of aromatic compounds. This affects the thickness and drop count.
- Extraction method – Steam distilled oils tend to be thinner than cold pressed or solvent extracted oils.
- Age & quality – As oils oxidize and degrade over time, they generally become more viscous.
- Adulteration – Cutting pure oils with carrier oils will make them less dense.
- Temperature – Oils are more viscous at lower temperatures and more fluid when warm.
Higher quality, pure, fresh oils extracted properly will provide the most accurate drop counts. Oils that are old, stored improperly, or diluted may have inconsistent viscosity and drops per milliliter.
Typical Drop Counts per 1 mL of Common Oils
Here is an approximate range of drops per 1 mL for some commonly used essential oils:
| Essential Oil | Drops per 1 mL |
|---|---|
| Lemon | 23-26 drops |
| Tea tree | 25 drops |
| Eucalyptus | 25 drops |
| Lavender | 21-25 drops |
| Peppermint | 20-23 drops |
| Rosemary | 20-25 drops |
| Frankincense | 22-25 drops |
| Sandalwood | 20 drops |
| Patchouli | 20 drops |
| Ylang ylang | 25 drops |
As you can see, there is some variance in the exact drop count depending on the essential oil. So the best way to know for sure how many drops are in 1 ml of a certain oil is to manually count them.
How to Manually Count Drops per 1 mL
Here is a simple process to test and count the number of drops in 1 ml of any essential oil:
- Gather a blank 1 ml essential oil bottle, dropper, and the essential oil you want to test.
- Use a pipette or syringe to accurately measure and dispense 1 ml of the essential oil into the blank bottle.
- Carefully drip the essential oil from the dropper back into the original bottle, counting each drop as you go.
- Stop when you reach 1 ml and make note of the total drop count.
- Repeat 2-3 times to verify your results.
This will provide you with an accurate drop per mL count for that specific essential oil batch and dropper. Results can then be applied for future use and reference.
Does Bottle Style Impact Drops per mL?
In addition to oil density, the style and orifice size of the bottle dropper can impact drop size and count per milliliter. Here are some factors to consider:
Dropper Tip
The shape and size of the dropper tip affects drop formation and size:
- Small, pointed tips – Produce smaller, slower forming drops. Result in higher drop count per mL.
- Medium, rounded tips – Produce moderately sized drops. Typical for most bottles.
- Large, wide tips – Produce larger, faster forming drops. Result in lower drop count per mL.
Bottle Material
The materials and quality of essential oil bottles can also play a role:
- Glass – Smooth inner surface allows oil to glide easily into the dropper resulting in a precise drop.
- Plastic – More resistant surface can impede oil draw resulting in inconsistent drop size.
- Higher quality – Tighter manufacturing tolerances maintain more uniform dropper orifice size.
- Lower quality – Larger variability in orifice opening leading to irregular drop size.
High density glass bottles with consistently sized precision droppers will provide the most accurate droplet formation and drop per mL count.
How to Calibrate Drops Based on Bottle Style
To compensate for bottle and dropper inconsistencies, you can calibrate the drops per mL as follows:
- Select a high quality 1 mL essential oil bottle and precision dropper.
- Count the number of drops needed to equal 1 ml from this bottle.
- Transfer 1 ml of the same oil into a different style bottle using a syringe.
- Count the number of drops needed to equal 1 ml from the second bottle.
- Compare the difference in drop counts between bottle styles.
- Adjust your dosage accordingly based on bottle type.
Sticking with high quality, consistent glass bottles with uniform droppers will minimize the need for calibration between bottles. But this process can help account for any discrepancies.
Factors that Impact Dosage Amounts
In addition to understanding drops per mL, there are a few other considerations when working with essential oils:
Purity & Quality
High quality, pure oils provide better therapeutic benefit at lower dosages. Diluted or adulterated oils may require higher doses to get similar effects, leading to waste and potential safety issues. Ensure you source oils from reputable suppliers.
Application Method
Some application types, like diffusing, require higher diluted dosages than more concentrated direct skin applications. Consider dilution and dosage based on use case.
Sensitivity & Safety
Use extra caution and minimum effective dosing with children, pregnant women, pets and people with medical conditions. Understand and adhere to safety precautions for each oil.
Intended Use & Purpose
Target dosing and dilution levels based on the desired therapeutic activity or product formulation. Fragrances, cleaning products, skin care etc. have different ideal concentration levels.
Best Practices for Using & Measuring Oils
Follow these tips for safely using and accurately measuring essential oils:
- Invest in high quality glass bottles and droppers.
- Manually count and record drops per mL for each new oil.
- Recalibrate drop counts if switching bottle styles.
- Measure doses carefully using the dropper, not “estimating” drops.
- Adhere to recommended dilution and dosage guidelines.
- Store oils properly to maintain purity and extend shelf life.
- Shake oil bottles well before use to remix any separated content.
- Work in small batches to maintain freshness after mixing.
- Consult an aromatherapist or healthcare provider for guidance if needed.
With the right tools and knowledge of drops per milliliter, you can accurately and safely measure essential oils for all your wellness, home care and personal care needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn’t 1 ml always equal 20 drops?
The number of drops per milliliter can vary based on the viscosity of the essential oil, which is influenced by factors like plant species, growing region, extraction method, storage method, dilution, and more. Oils range from 20-26 drops per ml. Counting drops is the only way to know for sure.
Can I measure oils in a teaspoon instead of drops?
Using the dropper and counting drops is much more precise than trying to measure in teaspoons or other imprecise units. The margin of error is too great with spoons or estimated drops. Always use the dropper and count for accuracy.
How do I incorporate drop counts into oil blending?
When blending oils, add up the total number of drops needed per oil based on the recipe ratios. For example, a 2% blend of an oil with 25 drops/mL added to 50 ml of carrier oil would be 25 drops of essential oil (.02 x 25 drops x 50 ml).
Why is accuracy important for essential oil dosing?
Essential oils are highly concentrated and potent, so precise dosing is important for safety and efficacy. Too much can cause sensitization or other adverse effects. Too little may provide minimal benefits. Accurate drop counts ensure you get the right dose.
Can I use volume measurements instead of drop counts?
Measuring by volume (ml, teaspoons, etc.) is less precise than counting drops. Small discrepancies in volume are magnified with potent oils. Counting drops from a calibrated dropper minimizes margin of error for safety and consistency.
The Bottom Line
Essential oils contain complex, concentrated plant compounds that should be measured precisely. While 20 drops per mL is a general guideline, the exact oil density and dropper style impacts the actual count. Take time to manually count drops per mL when using a new essential oil or bottle. This simple step helps ensure you safely receive the correct therapeutic dosage.
