What developer should I use with toner?

Most toners work best with 10 vol (3%) developer, which deposits colour without lifting. Some brands recommend 20 vol (6%) for slightly more processing power. Never use 30 or 40 vol with toner — it is unnecessary and can damage already-lightened hair.

How long should toner be left on?

Most toners process in 10-20 minutes. Check every 5 minutes as pre-lightened hair can absorb toner quickly. Glosses typically need only 5-10 minutes. Remove the toner as soon as the desired tone is achieved — leaving it on too long can result in an overly dark or ashy result.

What is the difference between a toner and a gloss?

A toner is a semi or demi-permanent colour used to neutralise unwanted tones (typically yellow or orange) after bleaching. A gloss is a sheer, translucent colour that adds shine and subtle tone without dramatically changing the shade. Both use low-volume developer.

CutCalcs

Toner Mix Calculator — Post-Bleach Toning Quantities

Calculate toner and developer quantities for post-bleach toning, glossing and pastel colour services.

Hair Length

Toner Type

Developer Volume

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates toner and developer quantities based on hair length and the type of toning product you are using. Different toner types use different mixing ratios with developer.

Typical ratios

Demi-permanent toner: 1:1 ratio with 10 vol developer
Gloss / shine treatment: 1:1 ratio with 10 vol developer
Standard toner: 1:2 ratio with 10 vol developer
Pastel toner: 1:3 ratio with low vol developer

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always perform a strand test before chemical services.