The Plating Efficiency Calculator helps you quickly determine how effectively your electroplating bath converts electrical current into metal deposition. Knowing the efficiency of your plating bath is essential for accurate control of coating thickness, material usage, and overall process optimization.
Our calculator provides two methods for determining efficiency: Thickness and Weight. If you have access to a micrometer or thickness gauge, the thickness method is the most straightforward. If you have a precision scale, the weight method may be more suitable. For the most reliable results, we recommend repeating your chosen method at least three times and averaging the values to minimize errors and ensure an acceptable solution.
The efficiency value you obtain here will also be used in the main Plating Calculator on Attalos.life to give you accurate predictions for current, time, and thickness in your plating projects.
We recommend using this calculator regularly not only for homebrew setups but also for commercial plating baths, since bath efficiency naturally changes over time with use.
To start this process, you must have a coupon piece with easily calculated dimensions—such as a square, rectangular, or circular sample (for example, a 5 cm² plate or a 1-inch square).
Choose how you’ll measure plating results: Thickness if you’re using a micrometer or gauge, or Mass if you’re using a precision scale.
Select the metal used in your bath: Copper, Nickel, or Zinc. The calculator will use the chosen metal’s density and atomic weight to determine plating efficiency
Select the type of plating bath: Commercial baths follow standardized formulations, while Homebrew baths use simpler DIY recipes.
Choose your preferred unit system: Metric (mm, mm², g) or Imperial (in, in², oz) to match your measurement tools and workflow.
Enter the total surface area of the part to be plated. The calculator uses this to determine required current and plating time. Be sure the value matches your selected unit system (mm² for Metric, in² for Imperial).
Select the thickness of the metal layer you want to deposit. Dropdown values are rounded for easier calculation and consistency.
Please enter the weight of your coupon piece before starting the process. Make sure the unit (g or oz) matches your selected unit system.
⚠️ Important
If you selected the Thickness method, the calculator will use this value to determine the plating time required for your chosen thickness. If you selected the Mass method, you must enter the current here for the calculation to work.
If you selected the Thickness method, the calculator will use this value to determine the required current for your chosen thickness. If you selected the Mass method, you must set the plating time here for the calculation to work.
Thickness Method
Theoretical Value
Measured Value
Bath Efficiency
Mass Method
Theoretical Value
Measured Value
Bath Efficiency
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