Base Dilution Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the base dilution calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Base Dilution Calculator

Formulas Used

Final Base Concentration (C₂)

c2 = (c1 * v1) / v2

Water to Add

water_added = v2 - v1

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
c1Initial Base Concentration (C₁)(M)6
v1Volume of Concentrated Base (V₁)(mL)20
v2Final Total Volume (V₂)(mL)500

How It Works

How to Dilute a Base

Formula

C₁V₁ = C₂V₂

Solving for C₂: C₂ = C₁V₁ / V₂

Where:

  • C₁ = initial concentration
  • V₁ = volume of concentrated base
  • C₂ = final concentration
  • V₂ = final total volume

    • Concentrated bases like NaOH are corrosive. Use caution and appropriate PPE.

    Worked Example

    Dilute 20 mL of 6 M NaOH to a final volume of 500 mL.

    c1 = 6v1 = 20v2 = 500
    1. 01C₂ = C₁V₁ / V₂
    2. 02C₂ = (6 × 20) / 500
    3. 03C₂ = 120 / 500
    4. 04C₂ = 0.24 M

    Ready to run the numbers?

    Open Base Dilution Calculator