CalcLibrary

Solution Dilution Calculator

Work out how much stock solution and solvent to mix for a target concentration and final batch size using C1V1 = C2V2, without pretending different chemistry bases are interchangeable.

M
mM
mL
Examples

The stock is 10x stronger than the target, so use 25 mL stock and top up 225 mL solvent.

Stock solution to measure
25 mL
Solvent/top-up to add
225 mL
Dilution factor (x)
10

Practical dilution planner only. It does not know your reagent identity, density, molar mass, activity, yield, dissociation, or protocol-specific mixing behavior. Non-additive volume changes and unusual lab procedures may require manual judgment.

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Examples

How It Works

Formula

C1⋅V1=C2⋅V2C_1 \cdot V_1 = C_2 \cdot V_2

V1=C2⋅V2C1V_1 = \frac{C_2 \cdot V_2}{C_1}

Vsolvent=V2−V1V_{solvent} = V_2 - V_1

DF=C1C2=V2V1DF = \frac{C_1}{C_2} = \frac{V_2}{V_1}

Variables

C1C_1

Stock concentration

V1V_1

Stock volume to measure

C2C_2

Target concentration

V2V_2

Final mixed volume

DFDF

Dilution factor

Choose one concentration basis, enter the stock concentration, target concentration, and final mixed volume, and the calculator rearranges C1V1 = C2V2. It then subtracts the stock volume from the final volume to show the solvent top-up.

The calculator first rescales the stock concentration and target concentration into one internal unit within the chosen basis family, then applies C1 x V1 = C2 x V2 to solve for the stock volume V1. Solvent volume is computed as final volume minus stock volume. Final volume means the target mixed volume after dilution, not the amount of solvent by itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

01What does this calculator do well?
It handles straight dilution planning with C1V1 = C2V2 inside one compatible concentration basis. You enter stock concentration, target concentration, and final mixed volume, and it returns the stock volume, solvent top-up, and dilution factor.
02Why can I not mix M, mg/mL, percent, ppm, and x-fold freely?
Those bases are not universally interchangeable without extra chemistry data such as molar mass, density, or an exact protocol definition. This calculator stays disciplined instead of inventing a conversion it cannot justify.
03What does final volume mean here?
Final volume means the total mixed volume after dilution. If you ask for 250 mL final volume, the stock solution and solvent together should add up to 250 mL.
04When should I use manual judgment instead of trusting the number blindly?
Use manual judgment when your protocol depends on non-additive mixing, reagent-specific behavior, density-based conversions, activity corrections, or other chemistry outside a simple dilution setup.

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