Solution Dilution Calculator
Calculate the volume of stock solution and diluent needed for a target concentration.
About Solution Dilution Calculator
The number of moles of solute is unchanged by dilution, which is what makes C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ work. Always add stock to solvent and make up to the mark rather than adding a calculated solvent volume. Dilution factors above about 100 in one step are inaccurate because the stock volume becomes too small to pipette reliably, which is why serial dilution exists.
Formula
Solution Dilution
C₁V₁ = C₂V₂
- dilution factor
- Ratio of stock to final concentration
- diluent
- Solvent added to reach the final volume
Worked example
With the default values below, Solution Dilution Calculator returns Stock Solution Needed of 50.0000. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Stock concentrationminimum 0 mol/L
- 1 mol/L
- Target concentrationminimum 0 mol/L
- 0.1 mol/L
- Final volume requiredminimum 0 mL
- 500 mL
Results
- Stock Solution Needed
- 50.0000 mL
- Diluent to Add
- 450.0000 mL
- Dilution Factor
- 10.0000 x
- Moles of Solute Transferred
- 0.050000 mol
- Verdict
- Practical single-step dilution
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2Solution Dilution
- 3Stock Solution Needed= 50.0000 mL
- 4Diluent to Add= 450.0000 mL
- 5Dilution Factor= 10.0000 x
- 6Moles of Solute Transferred= 0.050000 mol
- 7Verdict= Practical single-step dilution
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 6 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 Solution Dilution calculated?
C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ The number of moles of solute is unchanged by dilution, which is what makes C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ work. Always add stock to solvent and make up to the mark rather than adding a calculated solvent volume.
Why does Solution Dilution matter?
Dilution factors above about 100 in one step are inaccurate because the stock volume becomes too small to pipette reliably, which is why serial dilution exists.
What values do I need to enter?
This calculator takes 3 inputs: Stock concentration, Target concentration, Final volume required. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.