Serial Dilution Calculator Formula
Understand the math behind the serial dilution calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.
Formulas Used
Final Concentration
final_conc = initial_conc / pow(dilution_factor, num_steps)Total Dilution Factor
total_dilution = pow(dilution_factor, num_steps)Variables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
initial_conc | Initial Concentration(M) | 1 |
dilution_factor | Dilution Factor | 10 |
num_steps | Number of Steps | 3 |
How It Works
How to Calculate Serial Dilution
Formula
C_final = C_initial / (DF)^n
Each step reduces concentration by the dilution factor.
Worked Example
3 serial 1:10 dilutions starting from 1 M.
initial_conc = 1dilution_factor = 10num_steps = 3
- 01Total dilution = 10^3 = 1000
- 02C_final = 1 / 1000
- 03C_final = 0.001 M
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a serial dilution?
A stepwise dilution where each step uses the previous dilution as the stock, allowing very large total dilutions.
What is the dilution factor?
The ratio of final volume to sample volume transferred. A 1:10 dilution has factor 10.
When are serial dilutions used?
Microbiology colony counting, antibody titers, and calibration curves.
Ready to run the numbers?
Open Serial Dilution Calculator