Saturated hydrocarbons can in most cases be titrated according to standard methods. To overcome solubility problems of unpolar or weakly polar substances, the additiion of a solubiliser to the solvent is necessary. In the case of long-chain and cyclic hydrocarbons, long-chain alcohols (such as propyl alcohol or decyl alcohol) or chloroform are thus recommmended. Toluene, xylene or chloroform improve the solubility of aromatic compounds.

Unsaturated hydrocarbons can usually be titrated in the same way. Interferences due to double bonds only occur with some very reactive compounds. In the case of interferences (unstable end point or none at all) a methanol-free, alcoholic solvent should be utilised instead of methanol.

Recommmended methods are both the volumetric titration with one or two component reagents, as well as the coulometric analysis. The latter is predominantly applied for low ater concetrations (< 0.1%).