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How to Convert Parts Per Million to a Percentage

Scientists and laboratory technicians often deal with the finest of particles that are measured in particles per million. This unit of measure is often used to measure the level of contaminants in the air, land and water. The layperson is more accustomed to using percentages when dealing with small portions. Even though percentages could prove more cumbersome when dealing with minuscule amounts, converting to such a measurement can help more people grasp the amount measured.

Instructions

- 1
  Establish the amount of parts per million you need to convert to a percentage.
- 2
  Divide the number of parts per million by 10,000.
  
  For example, there are 35,000 parts per million of lead in the water supply. Divide 35,000 by 10,000, resulting in 3.5, meaning that 3.5 percent of the water's content is lead.
- 3
  Check your work by taking the original amount of parts per millions and moving the decimal point four places to the left. If you arrive at the same percentage, you have properly done your conversion.

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