PCR Mix Calculator
Calculate reagent volumes for a PCR master mix across multiple reactions.
About PCR Mix Calculator
Each component volume follows C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ scaled by the number of reactions. Preparing about 10 per cent excess matters because pipetting losses otherwise leave the final reactions short. A master mix reduces both pipetting error and setup time, and it is the single most effective way to improve reproducibility between replicate reactions.
Formula
PCR Mix
Component volume = (final concentration × reaction volume) ÷ stock concentration, × reactions
- excess
- Extra reactions prepared so the last tube is not short
- master mix
- Shared reagents combined once to reduce pipetting error
Worked example
With the default values below, PCR Mix Calculator returns Total Master Mix Volume of 660.000. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Number of reactionsminimum 1
- 24
- Volume per reactionminimum 1 uL
- 25 uL
- Excess to allow for pipetting lossaccepts 0–100 %
- 10 %
- Primer stock concentrationminimum 0.01 uM
- 100 uM
- Final primer concentrationminimum 0.001 uM
- 0.5 uM
- Template per reactionminimum 0 ng
- 10 ng
Results
- Total Master Mix Volume
- 660.000 uL
- Volume of Each Primer
- 3.3000 uL
- Reactions Prepared Including Excess
- 26.40
- Total Template Required
- 240.00 ng
- Water to Add
- 310.200 uL
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2PCR Mix
- 3Total Master Mix Volume= 660.000 uL
- 4Volume of Each Primer= 3.3000 uL
- 5Reactions Prepared Including Excess= 26.40
- 6Total Template Required= 240.00 ng
- 7Water to Add= 310.200 uL
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 6 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 4 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
How is PCR Mix calculated?
Component volume = (final concentration × reaction volume) ÷ stock concentration, × reactions Each component volume follows C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ scaled by the number of reactions. Preparing about 10 per cent excess matters because pipetting losses otherwise leave the final reactions short.
Why does PCR Mix matter?
A master mix reduces both pipetting error and setup time, and it is the single most effective way to improve reproducibility between replicate reactions.
What values do I need to enter?
This calculator takes 6 inputs: Number of reactions, Volume per reaction, Excess to allow for pipetting loss, Primer stock concentration, Final primer concentration, Template per reaction. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.