20-Volume is usually the standard volume of the developer for hair shedding. However, when you want to color your hair at home you might need clarification about how 20 developers to mix. And, what should be the amount of this 20-volume developer? It’s a prevalent dilemma for almost all of you.
So, here we’ll guide you through the entire process including how much 20 20-volume developer to mix with hair color. This article will simplest all your doubts about the accurate 20-volume mixing ratio in terms of distinct hair types and shades.
Thus, at the end of this article, you can build your skill in measuring hair color, water, and developer. So, let’s check it out!

What is 20-Volume? What Does a 20-volume Developer Do?
The 20-volume developer is called one of the most useful developers of all. When you want to increase your hair shade in one or two levels with a natural color, 20 volume comes into consideration.
You also can choose this developer to shade your gray hair with the original color. The amazing matter about this developer is that it’s applicable for both permanent and temporary hair color. So, it offers tremendous flexibility.
The 20-volume developer is the best developer ever to give you a 1-2-level lift especially when you apply the permanent hair color. Also, it will be the best if you want to get an excellent transformation for your gray coverage.
How Much 20-volume Developer to Mix with Hair Color?
There’s a general rule when you apply developer with your hair color and that should be two parts of developer and only one part of your hair color. It is a considerable ratio (1:2) for making a nice combination of your hair dye and developer.
For example, if you have 2 oz hair dye then you’ll have to add 4 oz of developer in the mixture. It works as a magical proportion of amount and also will give an accurate amount of dye molecules along with the developer.
Again, the ratio for hair dye and developer depends on the type of hair, the hair length, and also on the shade you want. In terms of your long and thick hair, sometimes you may need to change the ratio. Let’s check out the chart given below-
Ratio of 20-Volume Developer
| Hair Thickness | Hair Length | Ratio |
| Long | Thick | 1:2.5 |
| Long | Thin | 1:2 |
| Medium | Thick | 1:2 |
| Medium | Thin | 1:1.5 |
| Short | Thick | 1:1.5 |
| Short | Thin | 1:1 |
NB: The ratios we shared in the chart are the typical ones. If you’re confused about your hair type and hair length, you must take an expert’s suggestion. Also, you should check out the manufacturer’s instructions for the hair dye and developer.
Techniques to Measure the Hair Dye and Developer
The ratio for mixing the developer and hair dye is not always the same. There are different methods to do this mixing job. If you’re not sure which ratio would be perfect for you, look at the shared tips below-
- Follow the Package Measurement
If you want to measure the mixing ratio with the package instructions, it will be easier and you no longer have to wonder bout the perfection. It’s a precious technique to check out the package instructions and go for the instructed ratio. It will allow you to get the desired color with ease.
And if you’re confused about the ratio every time, the colorists suggest you use the same brand of hair dye each time. It will help you remember the packaging instructions easily. So, you don’t have to go for double checking the measurement instruction which seems hassling.
- Measuring Cups
Some cute plastic measuring cups are designed specifically for hair-dying purposes. These cups are designed to understand the measurement of water, hair dye, and also the developer so clearly. So, using this type of cup will help you measure the measuring ratio.
- Measuring Kitchen Scale
For your simple hair transformation, you also can work with your kitchen scale. Sometimes, the packaging margin is not clear. At that time, the kitchen scale comes in handy.
However. The hair colorist recommends resetting the scale to zero right before you measure your new ratio.
Factors to Consider while Mixing the 20-Volume Developer with Hair Dye
There are always some good factors that you should know and consider right before you mix the 20-volume developer and hair dye with water. Having a good knowledge of these factors will help you make your mixture accurately-
Know the Type of Your Hair
When you go to a professional, s/he must ask you whether your hair is pre-colored. Also, s/he wants to see the hair length and wants to examine the hair damage. It helps the professional to decide the best hair transformation treatment to shade your hair.
So, when you color your hair yourself at home, you also should focus on these factors. If you are not sure, we suggest you go to an expert.
Choose the Hair Dye Carefully
When you are sure about your hair type, hair texture, hair damage, and also whether or not your hair is pre-colored, it will be easier for you to choose the hair dye.
Check out which hair color goes well with your 20-volume developer. The perfect color is the amazing hair color solution.
Use Right Tool
Right tools means we indicate the utensil you use to get the mixture. Sometimes we take a bowl that is made of metal or silver. We recommend you use a bowl that is made of either plastic, glass, or silicon. Because the metal bowl can cause your color to oxidize.
Also, you need to use the plastic forks to mix the mixture. And, do not use the color brush for mixing the hair dye and developer. Because the hair dye and the developer get stuck to the coloring brush so easily. So, try avoiding it.
Go for the Process Slowly
When you’re pouring your 20-volume developer and your hair dye into the tube, be slow. Because if you cannot our the right amount and if it gets much you cannot take them away. And finally, the ratio would be inaccurate.
Therefore, it’s important to pour the hair dye, water, and developer slowly so that no mismeasurements happen.
Be Careful about the Sensitivity
If you have any irritation of any kind on using the hair dye and developer, you should think twice before applying. It’s a serious issue that should be considered before you go for this application.
What Ratio Goes for Which Purpose?
Not all the ratios are for all types of hair and shading results. If you don’t know the ratio purpose yet, here’s the detail for you-
Ratio 1:1
Different ratios are perfect for different hair shades, for example, when you want a natural hair color, the ratio should be 1:1 (hair dye and hair developer). It’s an equal ratio that can stick to your shaft easily.
This equal ratio will also help you to go for gray hair. But when it’s a stubborn gray hair, you should go for the next ratio. Because it won’t work in terms of stubborn gray. In this case, the ratio should be about 1:1.5
Ratio 1:1.5
When you need to go for only one or two levels but with a deep result, apply this ratio. It’s a good measurement to get deep shading results. Also, you need to dye your stubborn newly grown hair root, the ratio of 1:1.5 is the best.
Ratio 1:2
When you want three or four shades lighter in your hair, you should go for the ratio of hair dye and developer with 1:2. But in this case, you can’t use the 20-volume. You must have to switch to either 30 or 40 volume.
How to Measure 2 Parts Developer?
2 parts of developer means when you take 1 part of hair dye with 2 parts of developer. It means the ratio would be 1:2. For instance, if you use 2 oz of hair dye, you’ll have to take 4 oz of hair developer. This is how you can easily measure the ratio of 2 parts developer.
How to Measure 2 oz of Hair Developer?
In the case of a 2 oz developer, you’ll have to go for an equal ratio to get a professional hair dye. In this case, if you take half hair dye, you must take half developer too. Again, if you measure with ounce, take the same proportion of developer and hair dye.
Conclusion
It’s essential to understand the ratio of hair dye and developer no matter what volume of developer it is. So, there’s no question that you need to know how much 20 volume developer to mix with hair color.
Sometimes mixing the developer and hair dye seems confusing. When you know the actual measurement, it creates no issue. In the case of 20 20-volume developer, you should know the ratio measurement to get an excellent result.
