How to Use the Attalos Plating Calculator (Step-by-Step Tutorial)

Introduction

Getting the correct current or plating time is one of the trickiest parts of electroplating. Too little current, and your coating will be thin or uneven; too much, and you risk burning, poor adhesion, or wasted resources.

That’s why we built the Attalos Plating Calculator — a simple but powerful tool that helps you compute either the required current or time to deposit a desired thickness of metal.

All you need to enter is a few parameters (metal type, bath, area, thickness, efficiency). We handle the rest via Faraday’s law of Electrolysis.

In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to use the calculator — with live GIFs illustrating each step — and share tips to get the most accurate results.

How to Find the Plating Calculator

Before we dive into the Attalos Plating Calculator step-by-step tutorial, let’s quickly cover how to access the calculator on Attalos.life

Option 1 – From the Main Screen

On the homepage, look for the “Calculators” section and click it.

This will take you directly to the Plating Calculator page.

Navigate to the Plating Calculator directly from the Attalos homepage by selecting the “Calculators” section on the main screen.

Option 2 – From the Side Menu

Alternatively, open the side menu and select “Calculators.”

This is handy if you’re already browsing another section of the site.

Access the Plating Calculator through the side menu by clicking on “Calculators,” perfect for quick navigation from any page on Attalos.

Where the Plating Calculator Is Located

Once you’ve navigated to the Calculators page, you’ll find the Plating Calculator near the top of the page. It’s clearly labeled and placed within the main calculator section, so you can start using it right away without scrolling through other tools.

Locate the Plating Calculator at the top of the Calculators page on Attalos, clearly marked for quick and easy access.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Below is how you use the calculator. Each step has a corresponding GIF:

1. Select the plating medium (metal)

Start by selecting the plating medium (metal) you’ll be using, such as nickel, copper, or zinc to ensure accurate plating calculations.

Choose the metal you are plating (e.g. copper, nickel, zinc). Each has different molar mass, electron exchange number, etc.

2. Choose Your Bath Type

Choose the correct bath type—commercial or homebrew—to ensure accurate efficiency assumptions and get helpful estimation tips for your plating calculations.

Select the bath type that matches your setup:

• Commercial Bath – For standard, pre-formulated plating solutions.

• Homebrew Bath – For custom or DIY solutions you’ve prepared yourself.

Choosing the correct bath type is crucial because the underlying chemistry and assumed efficiencies differ, affecting the accuracy of the plating time or current calculation.

💡 Tip: The efficiency suggestion shown under the efficiency input box is directly linked to the bath type you select here.

If you’re unsure of your bath’s exact efficiency, this tip provides a rough estimation to get you started. It also encourages you to reevaluate your efficiency later using the Plating Bath Efficiency Calculator for more accurate results.

3. Set Unit System

Select the appropriate unit system—metric or imperial—so that your area and thickness inputs align correctly for accurate plating calculations.

Choose the unit system that matches your measurements:

• Metric → mm, mm², µm

• Imperial → inches, in², mils

  
  

Selecting the correct unit system is essential because both the area and thickness values you enter must match the chosen system. Inconsistent units can lead to major calculation errors, so double-check before proceeding.

Once you select the unit system, all subsequent inputs (thickness, area) will be interpreted accordingly by the calculator.

4. Enter efficiency (%)

Enter your plating bath efficiency or use the suggested value, and pay attention to the built-in warnings that help catch unrealistic entries for accurate results.

Input your plating bath efficiency as a percentage (0.00 – 100.00).This value determines how effectively electrical current is converted into actual metal deposition. For example, a 90% efficiency means 10% of the current is lost to side reactions or other factors.

If you’re unsure of your bath’s efficiency, you can either:

• Use the suggested efficiency value displayed under the input box (based on your selected bath type), or

• Determine your actual efficiency using the Plating Bath Efficiency Calculator for more accurate results.

  
  

⚠️ Failsafe Warnings: Directly under the efficiency input box, the calculator displays warnings or prompts if the entered value seems unrealistic (e.g., above typical commercial/homebrew ranges). This helps prevent user input errors and encourages rechecking the data before calculating.

5. Enter Thickness

Enter your desired plating thickness in micrometers or mils, matching the selected unit system, to determine the required current or plating time.

Specify the target plating thickness you want to achieve.

• In metric, enter the thickness in micrometers (µm).

• In imperial, enter the thickness in mils (0.001 inch).

The thickness you enter here directly determines either the required current or plating time, depending on the mode you choose later. Make sure it matches your selected unit system.

💡 Tip:

• 5–10 µm (0.0002–0.0004 in) is typically decorative

• 15–25 µm (0.0006–0.0010 in) is functional

• 30–50 µm (0.0012–0.0020 in) is heavy-duty

These guidelines help users select realistic thickness values for their application.

6. Enter Area

Enter the total surface area of your part in mm² or in², including edges and interior surfaces, for accurate plating calculations.

Next, enter the total surface area of the part to be plated.

• Use mm² for metric or in² for imperial.

• The total area must include all exposed surfaces, such as edges, inside holes, and undersides.

Accurate area measurement is critical — underestimating it will make the calculator give you overly optimistic times or currents. For irregular shapes, consider breaking the part into simple geometric sections and adding them up.

⚠️ Tip: If your part has a complex geometry, err on the slightly higher side for area to avoid under-plating.

7. Choose Current Mode

Select Current Mode, enter your current, and click Calculate to see required plating time and recommended lower current settings for smoother, higher-quality plating.

In Current Mode, you specify how much current (Amps) you plan to use for plating. Once all your inputs are set, click Calculate to display two result boxes:

• Calculated Values – Shows the plating time required to achieve your target thickness with the current you entered, based on your part’s area, metal type, and efficiency.

• Recommended Settings – Suggests an optimized current value for your setup. This recommended current is usually lower than what users typically choose and helps achieve smoother, higher-quality plating results, especially for decorative or precision finishes.

  
  

This dual output lets you decide between speed (your input) and quality (recommended). For many applications, slightly lower current improves uniformity and reduces the risk of burning, pitting, or rough deposits.

Use this mode if:

• You already know your power supply’s current capacity.

• You want to maintain a fixed current for multiple parts.

• You’re following specific current density guidelines for your bath.

  
  

⚡ Tip: If your calculated time looks unrealistic (too short or too long), double-check the efficiency and surface area — both directly affect time calculations.

8. Choose Time Mode and Calculate

Select Time Mode, enter your plating duration, and click Calculate to view required current and recommended lower current settings for better plating quality.

In Time Mode, you specify the plating time, and the calculator determines the required current to achieve your target thickness within that timeframe. Once you click Calculate, two result boxes appear:

• Calculated Values – Shows the current required to reach your desired thickness in the time you entered, taking into account surface area, metal type, and efficiency.

• Recommended Settings – Suggests a lower, optimized current that would result in higher-quality plating, even if it means a longer plating time. Using the recommended current often leads to smoother, more uniform deposits, with reduced risk of burning or rough finishes.

  
  

This dual output lets you weigh time constraints vs. finish quality. If your process allows flexibility, using the recommended current is usually the better option for surface finish and adhesion.

Use this mode if:

• You have a fixed plating schedule or batch cycle.

• You want to explore different current levels to hit a thickness target within a set time.

• You’re working in time-based workflows, like production lines.

  
  

⚡ Tip: Check whether your power supply can safely provide the calculated current. If it’s too high, consider increasing plating time or lowering target thickness.

9. Reset Values

Use the Reset Values button to quickly clear all inputs and results, ensuring accurate calculations for your next plating scenario.

After completing your calculations, you can easily start over by clicking the “Reset Values” button. This instantly clears all input fields and calculated results, returning the calculator to its default state — ready for a new part, plating thickness, or scenario.

Using the reset function helps avoid mixing old inputs with new calculations, ensuring clean and accurate results each time you use the tool.

Tips to Get Better Accuracy & Avoid Mistakes

• Always double-check your area measurement; underestimating area gives optimistic results.

• Be realistic about efficiency — many baths operate below 100%, so using a very high value may lead to underestimating time or overdriving current.

• The calculator assumes a smooth, uniform deposit. Real parts with roughness, occluded areas, or diffusion limitations may deviate.

• For very thick coatings, be cautious — diffusion, depletion or side reactions may degrade effectiveness at the edges.

• If the output current is very low or very high, be sure your equipment can handle it (amp range, power supply constraints).

📄 Behind the Scenes: How We Built the Calculator

If you’re curious about the technical development of this tool, we’ve documented the entire process — from concept to final implementation. You can download the full PDF:

Development and Implementation of Web-Based Plating Calculators.pdf

Download PDF • 251KB

This document covers the design decisions, formulas, and Wix Velo code structure that power the Attalos Plating Calculator. It’s a great resource for electroplaters, developers, and makers interested in creating similar tools.

📚 Coming Soon: Plater’s Pocket Guides

We’re excited to share that both digital and printed versions of our Plater’s Pocket Guides are on the way! These guides are designed to be practical, clear, and always within reach — whether on your screen or on your workbench.

They’ll cover everything you need to support your plating workflow, including:

• 🧪 Bath Check & Logbook

• 🧼 Safety & Surface Preparation

• ⚗️ Bath Preparation

• 🧪 Acid Dip Guide

• 🛠 Troubleshooting

• 🌐 Detailed Plating Guides

Whether you're a hobbyist or working in a professional environment, these guides will give you structured, reliable reference material to make your plating process smoother and more consistent.

Stay tuned 👀

💬 Final Thoughts

We hope this Attalos Plating Calculator Tutorial helps anyone who’s plating or eager to learn and start their own electroplating projects. If you have any questions, tips, or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below — we’d love to hear from you and help where we can. Happy plating!