VOC PPM Estimator
New paint, new furniture, new carpet — all off-gas VOCs. Indoor monitors report TVOC in PPB or PPM; comfort bands are usually quoted in PPM. Convert and check where your air stands.
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VOC PPM Estimator
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New paint, new furniture, new carpet — all off-gas VOCs. Indoor monitors report TVOC in PPB or PPM; comfort bands are usually quoted in PPM. Convert and check where your air stands.
How to use this calculator
- Enter TVOC reading.
- Convert to PPM.
- Compare with comfort bands.
The formula
Scale conversion plus typical TVOC comfort bands.
What the units mean
PPB (parts per billion) — one part per billion parts. The standard unit for trace contaminants in drinking water and environmental samples.
PPM (parts per million) — one part of solute per million parts of the total mixture. The workhorse unit for trace concentrations in water, air, and food.
Worked example
Monitor: 600 PPB TVOC = 0.6 PPM → moderate; increase ventilation.
Quick reference
| TVOC | Band |
|---|---|
| <0.25 PPM | Good |
| 0.25–1 PPM | Moderate |
| >1 PPM | Poor — ventilate |
TVOC comfort bands.
Where you will actually use this
"New building smell" is chemistry, and the numbers tell you when to ventilate more.
- New buildings
- Renovation checks
- Office air quality
Mistakes that give wrong answers
- Treating TVOC as one chemical (it is a mixture)
- Ignoring humidity effects on sensors
Key takeaways
- Formula: PPM = PPB ÷ 1,000 (TVOC screening)
- Remember: TVOC comfort bands.
- Watch out for: Treating TVOC as one chemical (it is a mixture)
- Next step: run your own numbers in the calculator above, then verify with a measurement — calculated values are only as good as the inputs.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good TVOC level?
Below ~0.25 PPM is good; above 1 PPM warrants action.