Dilution Calculator (C1V1 = C2V2 Stock Solution Prep)
Calculate initial stock volume, final volume, and concentrations using the dilution equation.
TL;DR: Dilution Calculator solves the standard laboratory dilution formula ($C_1 V_1 = C_2 V_2$), calculating the exact stock solution volume and diluent solvent required to achieve target concentrations.
What Is the Formula for Diluting Solutions (C1V1 = C2V2)?
Dilution is calculated with: C₁ × V₁ = C₂ × V₂, where C₁ is stock concentration, V₁ is volume of stock required, C₂ is final target concentration, and V₂ is total final volume. Stock volume needed is V₁ = (C₂ × V₂) / C₁. Volume of solvent to add is V_solvent = V₂ - V₁.
How to Use the Dilution Calculator (C1V1 = C2V2)
Our Dilution Calculator (C1V1 = C2V2) performs high-precision mathematical operations directly in your browser with zero latency and complete client-side privacy.
- Select the parameter you need to find ($V_1$ Stock Volume, $C_1$ Stock Conc, $V_2$ Final Volume, or $C_2$ Final Conc).
- Enter the initial stock concentration ($C_1$) and desired final concentration ($C_2$).
- Enter the target total final volume ($V_2$).
- Click 'Calculate' to obtain required aliquot volume ($V_1$) and diluent buffer volume.
- Review lab preparation instructions: pipette $V_1$ and add solvent up to $V_2$ mark.
Mathematical Formula & Equations
Calculates required stock volume ($V_1$) to prepare a desired volume ($V_2$) of target concentration ($C_2$).
Calculation Example
Preparing $500\text{ mL}$ of $0.5\text{ M } \text{HCl}$ from a $6.0\text{ M}$ stock solution: $$V_1 = \frac{0.5 \times 500}{6.0} = 41.67\text{ mL}$$
100% Client-Side Privacy & Data Security
All calculations, amortization schedules, variables, and sensitive numerical datasets execute 100% locally in your web browser memory. Your financial, medical, and personal values are never transmitted, logged, or uploaded to any external server.
Frequently Asked Questions
- It represents conservation of mass during dilution: Initial Concentration × Initial Volume = Final Concentration × Final Volume.
- Using `V₁ = (C₂ × V₂) / C₁`: `V₁ = (0.1M × 500 mL) / 2M = 25 mL`. Pipette 25 mL of 2M stock and add 475 mL of solvent to reach 500 mL total.
- You can use any concentration units (M, mM, %, mg/mL, ppm) and volume units (µL, mL, L) as long as units match on both sides.
- The dilution factor (DF) is the ratio of final volume to initial stock volume (`DF = V₂ / V₁ = C₁ / C₂`). A 1:10 dilution has a DF of 10.
- Serial dilution is a stepwise series of sequential dilutions (e.g., 10-fold serial dilutions) used to achieve extremely low concentrations accurately.
- The volume and concentration formula is `C1 × V1 = C2 × V2`, where C1/V1 are initial concentration and volume, and C2/V2 are target diluted values.
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