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PCR Cycle Yield Calculator

Work out pcr cycle yield instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About PCR Cycle Yield Calculator

Compounds the amplification efficiency across the cycle count, the exponential model behind PCR yield.

Formula

PCR yield

Copies = starting copies x (1 + efficiency)^cycles; perfect efficiency doubles product each cycle

Worked example

With the default values below, PCR Cycle Yield Calculator returns Copies after amplification of 230,466,617,897. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Starting template copiesaccepts 1–1,000,000,000,000
1,000
Cyclesaccepts 1–60
30
Amplification efficiencyaccepts 10–100
90

Results

Copies after amplification
230,466,617,897
Amplification factor
230,466,618
Log10 of final copies
11.363
Cycles for a million-fold increase
21.52

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2PCR yield
  3. 3Copies after amplification= 230,466,617,897
  4. 4Amplification factor= 230,466,618
  5. 5Log10 of final copies= 11.363
  6. 6Cycles for a million-fold increase= 21.52

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does yield plateau in practice?

Reagent depletion, polymerase inactivation and product reannealing end the exponential phase after 25 to 35 cycles.

What efficiency is acceptable?

90 to 110% is the accepted window for quantitative PCR assays.

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PCR Cycle Yield Calculator | Calcrivo