Our saponification values come primarily from our suppliers and product documentation. In some cases, we have relied on outside sources. Some GSP values will differ from those reported in other sources because GSP values may fall within a range of values that are acceptable for an oil/butter/lipid. The actual value will change depending on the origin of the lipid and what the weather conditions were for that particular plant material and processing techniques. In most cases, we used an average of the range so that your soap does not become leach heavy in case the actual GSP value was at the lower end of the range.
These numbers are actual SAP values expressed as the number of mg of KOH required to saponify 1 g of oil/fat. When reading a certificate of analysis of an oil/fat, the SAP Value is indicated in this way.
Most soap makers prefer to convert these numbers when making soap to easily calculate their lye. You see these converted values as decimal values. They are derived from the actual GSP value and are not true GSP values.
Dividing the SAP value by 1000 gives us a ratio of KOH to oil in the same units (mg), and therefore becomes the ratio of KOH needed for each unit as long as you use the same units to measure your KOH and oils. Example: An oil with an average SAP value of 190 needs 190/1000 = 0.190 g KOH per g of oil, or 0.190 ounces of KOH per ounce of oil, or 0.190 pounds of KOH per pound of oil.
Dividing the SAP value by 1402.50 or multiplying the KOH ratio by 40/56.1 (the ratio of the molecular weights of NaOH/KOH), gives us the amount of NaOH needed for each unit, as long as you use the same units for NaOH and oils. Example: An oil with an average SAP value of 190 requires 190/1402.50 = 0.135 g of NaOH per 1 g of oil, 0.135 ounces of NaOH per ounce of oil or 0.135 pounds of NaOH per pound of oil.
Summary:
To convert actual SAP values into converted values ready to work with in any unit:
Solid soap (NaOH): divide the average SAP value by 1402.50
Liquid soap (KOH): divide the average SAP value by 1000
Soap recipe calculation
With these known values, a calculation can now be made. If the saponification number has a staggered value then the average is used in the calculation. Practice will show if this number needs to be adjusted, if the soap is too fatty the average saponification value must be adjusted up and if the soap contains too little fat the average value will have to be lowered.
Lye calculation example hard soap:
- Olive oil 184-196, average 190, quantity 100 grams
- Coconut oil 250-264, average 257, quantity 100 grams
- Leaching strength 27% NaOH
- Overfat 1%
Formula lye: (saponification / 1422.9803) x ((grams of oil / 100) x (100 – overfatting)) = grams of NaOH
Lye calculation:
- Olive oil: (190 / 1422.9803) x ((100 / 100) x (100 – 1)) = 13.219 grams of NaOH
- Coconut oil: (257 / 1422.9803) x ((100 / 100) x (100 – 1)) = 17.882 grams of NaOH
- Total: 31.173 grams of NaOH
Now that the amount of lye is known, the amount of water can be calculated.
Formula water: (grams of NaOH / lye strength) x 100 – grams of Naoh = grams of water
Lye calculation:
Olive oil: (13.219 / 27) x 100 – 13.219 = 35.741 grams of water
Coconut oil: (17.882 / 27) x 100 – 17.882 = 48.346 grams of water
Total: 84.087 grams of water
To make hard soap from 100 grams of olive oil and 100 grams of coconut oil requires 31.173 grams of NaOH dissolved in 84.087 grams of water. By using two types of oils, the calculated quantities must be added together and soap making can be started. For liquid soap, KOH is used, the lye strength is around 20%. The hardness of the water neutralizes a small amount of lye because of this the overfatting of the soap will increase. Distilled water does not affect leach strength.
Lipids | SAP | NAOH (gr.) | KOH (gr.) | INCI name |
Strawberry seed oil | 170-210 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry) Seed Oil |
Apricot kernel butter | 130 – 145 | 0,098 | 0,138 | Prunus armeniacae (Apricots) |
Apricot kernel oil | 185 – 195 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Pit Oil |
Apricot kernel oil, Organic | 185 – 195 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Oil |
Acai oil, organic | 188 – 203 | 0,14 | 0,196 | Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) oil |
Aloe Vera Butter | 220-260 | 0.171 | 0,24 | Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil and Aloe barbadensis leaf extract |
Almond butter, sweet | 90 – 140 | 0,082 | 0,115 | Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil (and) hydrogenated vegetable oil |
Almond oil, sweet | 190-200 | 0.139 | 0.195 | Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (sweet almond) oil |
Amla Oil | 150-350 | 0.178 | 0.25 | Emblica officinalis (Amla) Fruit Extract and Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) |
Argan Oil, Virgin Organic | 180-200 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil |
Avocado Butter | 177-198 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil and hydrogenated vegetable oil |
Avocado oil | 187-197 | 0,137 | 0,192 | Persea Gratissim a (Avocado) Oil |
Avocado oil, organic | 185-200 | 0,138 | 0,193 | Persea gratissima (Avocado) Oil |
Avocado oil, refined | 185-230 | 0,148 | 0,208 | Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil |
Avocado Oil, Virgin | 177-198 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Persea gratissima (Avocado) Oil |
Babassu nut oil | 245-256 | 0,179 | 0,251 | Orbignya oleifera (babassu) seed oil |
Frying fat, Vegetable | 190 | 0,135 | 0,19 | |
Baobab oil | 180-200 | 0.135 | 0,19 | Digitata Adansonia (baobab) seed oil |
Baobab oil, refined | 140-205 | 0.123 | 0.173 | Digitata Adansonia (baobab) seed oil |
Borage Oil | 175-196 | 0,133 | 0,186 | Borago officinalis (borage) Seed Oil |
Borage oil, Organic, Refined, 20% GLA | 185-195 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Borago officinalis (borage) Seed Oil |
Borage oil, Organic, Virgin, 20% GLA | 185 – 195 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Borago Officinalis (Branage) Seed Oil |
Borage oil, refined, 20% GLA | 185 – 195 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Borago Officinalis (Branage) Seed Oil |
Borage oil, refined, 22% GLA | 185 – 195 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Borago Officinalis (borage) Seed Oil |
Borage oil, Virgin, 20% GLA | 185 – 195 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Borago Officinalis (Borage) seed oil |
Buriti oil | 185 – 240 | 0,152 | 0,213 | Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil |
Camelina Oil | 185-197 | 0,136 | 0,191 | Camelina sativa (Camelina) seed oil |
Candelilla Wax Pellets | 43-65 | 0,039 | 0,054 | Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax |
Caprylic Caprine Triglyceride MCT | 325-345 | 0,239 | 0,335 | Caprylic/Caprine Triglyceride |
Caprylic caprine triglycerides MCT Oil | 325-345 | 0,239 | 0,335 | Caprylic/capric acid triglycerides |
Caprylic caprine triglycerides MCT Oil, Organic | 310-360 | 0,239 | 0,335 | Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil |
Carnauba Wax Flakes | 78 – 95 | 0,062 | 0,087 | Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax |
Castor Oil, Black | 176-186 | 0,129 | 0,181 | Ricinus communis (Castor) Seed Oil |
Chia Seed Oil, Virgin, Organic | 180-200 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Chia (Chia) Seed Oil (en) tocopherol |
Cocoa Butter, Deodorized | 188-198 | 0,138 | 0,193 | Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter |
Cocoa Butter, Pure Prime Pressed | 188 – 200 | 0.138 | 0.194 | Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter |
Cocoa Butter, Ultra Refined | 188-200 | 0,138 | 0,194 | Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter |
Cocoa Oil | 173-188 | 0,129 | 0,181 | Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) |
Cupuacu Butter Ultra Refined | 210-235 | 0,159 | 0,223 | Theobroma grandiflorum (Cupuacu) Butter |
Cupuacu Butter, Refined | 210-235 | 0,159 | 0,223 | Theobroma grandiflorum (Cupuacu) seed butter |
Deer Tallow | 195 | 0,139 | 0,195 | |
Grape seed oil | 180-200 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, tocopherol |
Grape seed oil, organic | 185-200 | 0,138 | 0,193 | Vitis vinifera (Grape) Seed oil |
Grape seed oil, Chardonnay | 176-194 | 0,132 | 0,185 | Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil |
grape seed oil, Riesling | 185-200 | 0,138 | 0,193 | Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil |
Sea Buckthorn Berry Total CO2 Extract | 180 – 195 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Extract |
Emu Oil, Clear AEA Certified | 185-200 | 0,138 | 0,193 | Emu Oil |
Evening Primrose Oil | 180-195 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Middle Evening Primrose (Evening Primrose) Oil |
Evening Primrose Oil Refined 9% GLA | 180-195 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Middle Evening Primrose (Evening Primrose) Oil |
Goatentalk | 195 | 0,139 | 0,195 | |
Pomegranate Seed Oil, Organic, Virgin | 182-192 | 0,133 | 0,187 | Punica granatum Linn (pomegranate) Seed Oil |
Pomegranate Seed Oil, Organic | 185 | 0,132 | 0,185 | Punica granatum Linn (Pomegranate) Oil |
Pomegranate Seed Oil, Virgin | 182-192 | 0,133 | 0,187 | Punica granatum (pomegranate) Seed Oil |
Pomegranate seed oil | 185 | 0,132 | 0,185 | Punica granatum Linn (Pomegranate) Oil |
oat oil | 185-200 | 0,138 | 0,193 | Avena sativa (oat) Kernel |
Hazelnut oil | 187-195 | 0,136 | 0,191 | hazel (Hazel) Seed Oil |
Hazelnut oil Chilean Gevuina | 184-195 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Gevuina Avellana (hazelnut) Oil |
Hemp Seed Butter | 175-200 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Cannabis sativa Seed Oil (en) hydrogenated vegetable oil |
Hemp Seed Oil | 190-195 | 0,138 | 0,193 | Cannabis sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil |
Hemp Seed Oil , Organic | 190-195 | 0,138 | 0,193 | Cannabis sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil |
Hemp Seed Oil Refined | 188-194 | 0,136 | 0,191 | Cannabis sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil |
Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Virgin | 188-194 | 0,136 | 0,191 | Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) seed oil |
hemp seed oil, Virgin | 188-194 | 0,136 | 0,191 | Cannabis sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil |
Hibiscus Oil, Organic | 188-200 | 0,138 | 0,194 | Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hibiscus) Seed Oil |
High Linoleic Safflower Oil | 180 – 195 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Ca rthamus tinctorus (Safflower) Oil |
Illipe Butter | 188 – 200 | 0.138 | 0.194 | Shorea stenoptera (Illipe) Seed Butter |
Jojoba Oil, organic, clear | 90 – 95 | 0,066 | 0,093 | Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) |
Jojoba Oil, Golden, Organic | 86 – 96 | 0.065 | 0.091 | Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil |
Jojoba Oil, clear | 90 – 93 | 0,066 | 0,092 | Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil |
Jojoba Oil, Natural | 85 – 98 | 0.066 | 0.092 | Simmondsia Chinensis ( Jojoba) Seed Oil |
Gourd Oil | 170 – 180 | 0,125 | 0,175 | Lagenaria Sphaerica (Gourd) Seed Oi l |
Cotton Seed Oil | 192 | 0,137 | 0,192 | |
Cherry kernel oil | 180 – 200 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Prunus Avium (Cherry) Pit Oil |
Coffee Bean Butter | 175 – 200 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Oil |
Coconut oil fractionated | 325-345 | 0,239 | 0,335 | Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil |
Coconut Oil, Organic Virgin | 255-265 | 0,185 | 0,26 | Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) oil |
coconut oil,Organic, Virgin | 250-265 | 0,184 | 0,258 | Cocos nucifera (Coconut) |
Coconut oil,Organic | 250-265 | 0,184 | 0,258 | Cocos nucifera (Coconut) |
coconut oil,RBD | 250-264 | 0,183 | 0,257 | Cocos nucifera (Coconut) |
coconut oil,Virgin, Organic | 248-268 | 0,184 | 0,258 | Cocos Nucifera (Virgin Coconut) Oil |
Kokum butter | 187-193 | 0.135 | 0,19 | Garcinia indica (Kokum) seed butter |
Cucumber seed oil | 180-190 | 0,132 | 0,185 | Cucumis sativus (cucumber) Oil |
Rapeseed oil | 173 | 0,123 | 0,173 | |
Rapeseed oil | 175 | 0,125 | 0,175 | |
Kukui nut oil | 185-195 | 0.135 | 0,19 | Aleurites moluccana (Kukui) nut oil |
lanolin oil | 90-110 | 0,071 | 0,1 | lanolin oil |
Laurel Berry Oil | 198-206 | 0,144 | 0,202 | Laurus nobilis (laurel) oil |
Lecithin Liquid | 180-200 | 0.135 | 0,19 | Lecithin |
Flaxseed oil | 186-196 | 0,136 | 0,191 | Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil |
Linseed oil, organic | 186-196 | 0,136 | 0,191 | Linum Usitatissimum (flax) Seed Oil |
Macadamia butter | 175-200 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Macadamia ternifolia seed oil (and) hydrogenated vegetable oil |
Macadamia nut oil | 190-200 | 0,139 | 0,195 | macadamia (Macadamia) nut oil |
Macadamia nut oil, organic | 190-200 | 0,139 | 0,195 | Macadamia ternifolia (Macadamia) seed oil |
Corn Oil | 190 | 0,135 | 0,19 | |
Mango Oil (Oleine) | 180-195 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Mangifera indica (mango) seed oil |
Mango butter | 183-198 | 0,136 | 0,191 | Mangifera indica (mango) seed butter |
Mango Butter, Refined | 185-195 | 0.135 | 0,19 | Mangifera indica (mango) seed butter |
Manketti Oil | 190-205 | 0.141 | 0.198 | Schinziophyton rautanenii (Manketti) Oil |
Maracuja oil passion fruit, Virgin | 150-210 | 0.128 | 0,18 | Edulis (passion fruit) seed oil |
Marula Oil | 193 – 200 | 0.14 | 0.197 | Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Pit oil |
Marula Oil, Virgin | 188 – 199 | 0.138 | 0.194 | Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Pit oil |
Meadowfoam Oil | 169 | 0.12 | 0.169 | Limnanthes alba (Meadowfoam ) Seed oil |
Meadowfoam Seed Oil | 160 – 175 | 0.12 | 0.168 | Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil |
Monoi de Tahiti Oil | 240 – 270 | 0.182 | 0.255 | Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil (and) Gardenia Tahitensis (Tiare) Flower Extract (and) Tocopherol (and) Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil |
Moringa Oil | 185-205 | 0,139 | 0,195 | Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil |
Mustard oil | 172 | 0.123 | 0.172 | |
Murumuru Butter | 245-260 | 0,18 | 0,253 | Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter |
Neem organic oil | 190-199 | 0,139 | 0,195 | Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Kernel Oil |
Neem Oil | 197 | 0,14 | 0,197 | Azadirachta indica (neem) Oil |
Neem oil, organic | 190-199 | 0,139 | 0,195 | Azadirachta indica (neem) Kernel Oil |
Niger seed oil | 189 | 0,135 | 0,189 | |
Nilotica Shea Butter, Organic | 185-195 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Seed Butter |
Olive Oil | 184 – 196 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil |
Olive oil butter | 175-200 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Olea europea (Olive) Seed Oil (en) hydrogenated vegetable Oil |
Olive Oil Pomace | 190 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Olea europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil |
Olive oil, Extra Virgin, Organic | 184 – 196 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Olea europaea (Olive) |
palm oil | 190-205 | 0.141 | 0.198 | Elaeis guineensis (Palm) oil |
Brazil nut oil, organic | 186 – 196 | 0,136 | 0,191 | Bertholletia Excelsa (Brazil) |
Passion Fruit Seed Oil, Organic | 167-200 | 0.131 | 0.184 | Edulis (passion fruit) seed oil |
Pecan Oil | 186-194 | 0.135 | 0,19 | Algooquian pacan (pecan) nut oil |
Pequi oil, refined | 190-215 | 0,145 | 0,203 | Caryocar braziliensis (Pequi) fruit oil |
Perilla oil | 185-200 | 0.138 | 0.193 | Perilla ocymoides (Perilla) seed oil |
Perilla Seed Oil, Organic | 185 – 200 | 0.138 | 0.193 | Perilla frutescens (Perilla) seed oil |
Peach Kernel Oil | 185 – 195 | 0. 135 | 0.19 | Prunus Persica (Peach) Pit Oil |
Peanut Oil | 190 | 0.135 | 0.19 | |
Pistachio butter | 175-200 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Pistacia Vera seed oil (en) Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil |
Pumpkin Seed Oil, Organic, Virgin | 188-198 | 0,138 | 0,193 | Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil |
Poppy Seed Oil | 163 | 0,116 | 0,163 | Papaver Somniferum (Poppy) Seed Oil |
Prickly Seed Oil, Organic | 180-190 | 0,132 | 0,185 | Opuntia Ficus Indica (Prickly Pear) Seed Oil |
Pumpkin Seed Oil, Refined | 188-198 | 0,138 | 0,193 | Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil |
Red Raspberry Seed Oil | 188 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Rubus Idaeus (Red Raspberry) Seed Oil |
Red Raspberry Seed Oil, Organic | 188 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Rubus Idaeus (Red Raspberry) Seed Oil |
Lard | 193 | 0,138 | 0,193 | |
Rice Bran Oil | 185-195 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Oryza sativa (rice) Bran Oil |
Rice Bran Oil , CP | 180 – 190 | 0,132 | 0,185 | Oryza sativa (rice) |
Castor oil, Jamaican Black | 177 – 185 | 0,129 | 0,181 | Ricinus Communis (Ricinus) Seed Oil |
Castor oil, Black, Light | 176 – 186 | 0,129 | 0,181 | Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil |
Rice bran oil, organic | 180 – 190 | 0,132 | 0,185 | Oryza sativa (rice) |
Rose Hip Seed Oil, Refined Organic | 175-195 | 0,132 | 0,185 | Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Seed Oil |
Rosehip oil | 185-193 | 0,135 | 0,189 | Rosa Canina / Hedgehog (rosehip) seed oil |
Rose hips seed oil, organic | 185-193 | 0,135 | 0,189 | Rosa Canina / Hedgehog (rosehip) seed oil |
Rosehip seed oil , Virgin | 175 – 195 | 0,132 | 0,185 | Rosa moschata ()seed oil |
Beef fat | 196 | 0.14 | 0.196 | |
Sacha Inchi oil, organic | 180-210 | 0,139 | 0,195 | Plukenetia Volubilis (Sacha Inchi) |
Safflower oil, Organic, High oleic acid, Refined | 186 – 198 | 0,137 | 0,192 | Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) |
Sesame oil | 188 – 195 | 0,137 | 0,192 | Sesamum indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil |
Sesame oil, organic | 188-198 | 0.138 | 0.193 | Sesamum indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil |
Shea Oil | 170 – 195 | 0,13 | 0,183 | Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Extract and Citric Acid (0.001% added for stability) |
Shea butter | 170-190 | 0.128 | 0,18 | Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit |
Shea butter, Organic Ground and refined | 170-190 | 0.128 | 0,18 | Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Fruit Butter |
Soybean oil | 180-200 | 0.135 | 0,19 | Glycine soy (soybean) |
Soybean oil,organic | 189-195 | 0.137 | 0.192 | Glycine soybean (soybean) Oil |
Stearic Acid, Palm-Based | 208-213 | 0,15 | 0,211 | Stearic acid |
Tamanu Foraha Oil | 185-205 | 0,139 | 0,195 | Calophyllum Tacamahaca (Tamanu) seed oil |
Evening primrose oil organic | 180 – 195 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Oenothera(Evening primrose) oil |
Tomato Seed Oil | 180-200 | 0.135 | 0,19 | Solanum Lycopersicum (tomato) Seed Oil |
Ungurahui oil, Unrefined | 188-198 | 0,138 | 0,193 | Oenocarpus Bataua (Ungurahui) Oil |
Walnut Oil | 189-197 | 0,138 | 0,193 | Juglans Regia (Walnut) Seed Oil |
Watermelon Seed Oil | 188-195 | 0,137 | 0,192 | watermelon (watermelon) Seed Oil |
Wheatgerm Oil | 180-195 | 0,134 | 0,188 | Triticum Vulgare (wheat) Germ Oil |
Carrot Oil | 190 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Glycine Soy (Soy) Oil (and) wild carrot sativa (Root) Root Extract (and) tocopherol |
Yangu Cape Chestnut Oil | 185-200 | 0,138 | 0,193 | Calodendrum capense (Cape chestnut) Oil |
Seed oil Karanja oil, organic | 185 – 195 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Pongamia Glabra (Karanja) seed oil |
Sweet almond oil, Refined | 184-196 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Prunus dulcis ( sweet almond oil) Kernel Oil |
sweet almond oil, Winterized | 184-196 | 0.135 | 0,19 | Prunus Dulcis (sweet almond oil) Oil |
Sunflower Oil, Refined Organic | 188-194 | 0,136 | 0,191 | Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil |
Sunflower oil, high oleic acid | 191 | 0,136 | 0,191 | Helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil |
Black Berry Seed Oil | 185-195 | 0,135 | 0,19 | Ribes Nigrum (Blackcurrant) Seed Oil |
Black Cumin Seed Oil | 185-205 | 0,139 | 0,195 | Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin) Seed Oil |
Black Cumin Seed Oil, Organic | 185-205 | 0,139 | 0,195 | Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin) Seed Oil |