Dilution Calculator

Calculate Solution Dilution

The dilution calculator is a useful laboratory tool for calculating how much stock solution is required to prepare a solution at a desired concentration.

Enter the starting concentration (C₁), final concentration (C₂), and final volume (V₂) to calculate the required starting volume (V₁).

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Enter the starting concentration, final concentration, and final volume. The calculator will determine the required starting volume.

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The Dilution Calculator Equation

The dilution calculator is based on the following conservation-of-solute equation:

Concentration_(start) × Volume_(start) = Concentration_(final) × Volume_(final)

This equation is commonly abbreviated as:

C₁V₁ = C₂V₂

Rearranging the equation allows the required stock-solution volume to be calculated as:

V₁ = (C₂ × V₂) / C₁

Dilution Calculation Example

What volume of a 10 mM stock solution is required to prepare 20 mL of a 50 µM solution?

Using the equation C₁V₁ = C₂V₂:

• C₁ = 10 mM
• C₂ = 50 µM = 0.05 mM
• V₂ = 20 mL
• V₁ = unknown

Therefore:

V₁ = (0.05 mM × 20 mL) / 10 mM = 0.1 mL = 100 µL

1. Enter 10 in the Concentration (start) field and select millimolar.
2. Enter 50 in the Concentration (final) field and select micromolar.
3. Enter 20 in the Volume (final) field and select milliliter.
4. Click Calculate.
5. The calculated starting volume is 100 microliters (0.1 mL).