TDS of drinking water: safe range chart, Indian limits and what your reading means
Safe drinking water in India should have a TDS below 500 mg/L — the acceptable limit in IS 10500 for tap and well water, and the maximum in IS 14543 for packaged drinking water. Between about 50 and 300 mg/L usually tastes best; below 50 tastes flat. TDS only counts dissolved minerals and salts — it cannot show germs, so it is not a safety test on its own.
| TDS (mg/L) | What it means |
|---|---|
| Below 50 | Very low — safe to drink but tastes flat (typical of heavy RO) |
| 50–300 | Ideal range for taste |
| 300–500 | Acceptable — within IS 10500 and the IS 14543 packaged-water limit |
| Above 500 | Over the acceptable limit for drinking and packaged water |
A cheap TDS meter has made “what is the TDS?” the first question many people ask about their water. It is a useful number, but only if you know what it does and does not measure.
What TDS actually measures
TDS is the total weight of everything dissolved in the water — mostly calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonates, chlorides and sulphates. Some of these are minerals your body uses; others mainly affect taste. A TDS meter estimates this from how well the water conducts electricity.
TDS does not measure bacteria, viruses, pesticides or most heavy metals. Water with a “perfect” TDS can still be unsafe if it is contaminated, and water with a high TDS can be free of germs.
The Indian limits
| Standard | Applies to | TDS limit |
|---|---|---|
| IS 10500:2012 | Drinking water (tap, well, supply) | 500 mg/L acceptable; up to 2,000 mg/L permissible only when no other source is available |
| IS 14543 | Packaged drinking water (20L jars, bottles) | 500 mg/L maximum |
What your reading means for taste
Health agencies generally describe water taste by TDS in bands like these. They are about palatability, not safety:
| TDS (mg/L) | How it usually tastes |
|---|---|
| Below 50 | Very flat or “empty” — typical of heavily processed RO water |
| 50–150 | Light and clean |
| 150–300 | Good, slightly fuller taste |
| 300–500 | Acceptable; mineral taste becomes noticeable |
| 500–900 | Noticeably salty or hard; above the IS 10500 acceptable limit |
| Above 900 | Poor taste; look for another source |
Is very low TDS a problem?
Very low TDS water is not harmful in itself, but it tastes flat and contains almost none of the calcium and magnesium found in natural water. Many home RO purifiers have a TDS controller for this reason. Most of the minerals you need come from food, so the main issue with very low TDS water is taste.
How to check TDS at home
- Rinse the meter tip with the water you want to test.
- Pour water into a clean glass at room temperature.
- Dip the meter to the marked line, stir gently and wait for the reading to settle.
- Repeat two or three times and take the average.
A home meter is fine for comparing sources — your well, your RO and a 20L jar, say. For a full picture, including microbes, ask your supplier for a lab test report.
What about Refillr water?
Refillr delivers BIS-grade drinking water from FSSAI-approved partner plants, produced to the IS 14543 limits. Test reports are attached to batches, and every jar carries a QR code that links it to the plant and batch it came from.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a good TDS level for drinking water?
Water between about 50 and 300 mg/L usually tastes best. The Indian standard IS 10500 sets 500 mg/L as the acceptable limit for drinking water.
What is the TDS limit for packaged drinking water in India?
Packaged drinking water under IS 14543 must have total dissolved solids of no more than 500 mg/L.
Does low TDS mean the water is pure and safe?
No. TDS only measures dissolved minerals and salts. It does not detect bacteria or viruses, so low-TDS water can still be unsafe if it is contaminated.
Is a TDS meter enough to test my water?
It is useful for comparing sources and checking an RO purifier, but it cannot tell you whether water is free of germs. For that you need a lab test.
What is the TDS of packaged drinking water?
Packaged drinking water (IS 14543) must stay at or below 500 mg/L. Most 20L jar water in Kerala reads well below that; check the batch test report if your supplier shares one.
How much does a TDS meter cost?
A basic pen-type TDS meter usually costs a few hundred rupees online. It is fine for comparing your well, RO and jar water, but it does not replace a lab test.
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