Dilution Calculator

Calculate solution dilutions using the C1V1 = C2V2 equation

Simple Dilution (C1V1 = C2V2)

Enter any 3 values to calculate the 4th. Leave one field empty.

C₁V₁ = C₂V₂

C₁ (Initial Concentration)

V₁ (Initial Volume)

C₂ (Final Concentration)

V₂ (Final Volume)

Calculated Value

Serial Dilution Calculator

Calculate concentrations for multiple dilution steps

Initial Concentration

Dilution Factor

Number of Steps

Common Dilution Ratios

Quick reference for typical laboratory dilutions

Dilution Ratio	Dilution Factor	Stock Volume	Diluent Volume	Final Volume
1:2	2x	1 mL	1 mL	2 mL
1:5	5x	1 mL	4 mL	5 mL
1:10	10x	1 mL	9 mL	10 mL
1:50	50x	1 mL	49 mL	50 mL
1:100	100x	1 mL	99 mL	100 mL
1:1000	1000x	1 mL	999 mL	1000 mL

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dilution equation C1V1 = C2V2?

The dilution equation states that the amount of solute remains constant during dilution. C1 is the initial concentration, V1 is the initial volume, C2 is the final concentration, and V2 is the final volume. This equation allows you to calculate any one of these values if you know the other three.

What is the difference between dilution factor and dilution ratio?

Dilution Factor: The ratio of final volume to initial volume (V2/V1). A 10x dilution factor means the final volume is 10 times the initial volume, reducing concentration to 1/10th.
Dilution Ratio: Expressed as "1:n" where n is the dilution factor. A 1:10 dilution means 1 part stock solution mixed with 9 parts diluent to make 10 parts total.

          Example: A 1:10 dilution has a dilution factor of 10x.
          Mix 1 mL of stock with 9 mL of diluent to get 10 mL at 1/10th the original concentration.
        

How do I perform a serial dilution?

A serial dilution involves multiple successive dilutions. Each step uses the product of the previous dilution as the stock solution:

Prepare the first dilution using your stock solution
Use a portion of the first dilution as the "stock" for the second dilution
Continue this process for the desired number of steps

          Example: Starting with 100 uM, a 10x serial dilution over 5 steps gives:
          100 uM → 10 uM → 1 uM → 0.1 uM → 0.01 uM → 0.001 uM
        

What are common applications of dilution calculations?

Chemistry: Preparing standard solutions and reagents
Biology: Cell culture media, antibody dilutions, enzyme assays
Medicine: Drug preparation and dosing
Environmental Science: Water quality testing and sample preparation
Food Science: Beverage formulation and quality control

How do I convert between concentration units?

Common concentration units and their relationships:

Molarity (M): 1 M = 1000 mM = 1,000,000 uM
Millimolar (mM): 1 mM = 1000 uM = 0.001 M
Micromolar (uM): 1 uM = 0.001 mM = 0.000001 M
Percent (%): Typically w/v (weight/volume) or v/v (volume/volume)
mg/mL: Mass per volume, often used in pharmacology

Privacy & Limitations

All calculations run entirely in your browser -- nothing is sent to any server.
Results are computed using standard formulas and should be verified for critical applications.

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Dilution Calculator FAQ

What is Dilution Calculator?

Dilution Calculator is a free education tool that helps you Calculate solution dilutions using C1V1 = C2V2 with serial dilution support.

How do I use Dilution Calculator?

Enter your input values, review the calculated output, and adjust inputs until you reach the result you need. The result updates in your browser.

Is Dilution Calculator private?

Yes. Calculations run locally in your browser. Inputs are not uploaded to a server by default, and refreshing the page clears session data.

Does Dilution Calculator require an account or installation?

No. You can use this tool directly in your browser without sign-up or software installation.

How accurate are results from Dilution Calculator?

This tool applies standard formulas or deterministic processing logic for estimates. For medical, legal, tax, or investment decisions, verify with a qualified professional.

Can I save or share outputs from Dilution Calculator?

You can bookmark this page and copy outputs manually. Results are not persisted in your account and are typically not embedded in the URL.