Question 1

What does C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ actually mean?

Accepted Answer

It means the amount of solute (dissolved substance) stays the same when you dilute. C₁V₁ is the moles of solute in your stock, and C₂V₂ is the moles in your final solution. Since you're just adding solvent, these must be equal. Rearrange to find any one unknown from the other three.

Question 2

What's the difference between dilution ratio and dilution factor?

Accepted Answer

A dilution factor of 10 means the final solution is 10× more dilute (1 part stock + 9 parts diluent = 10 total). A dilution ratio written as "1:10" often means 1 part stock to 10 parts diluent (11 total), making it an 11-fold dilution. Always state parts explicitly to avoid ambiguity.

Question 3

Do the concentration units need to match?

Accepted Answer

Yes — C₁ and C₂ must be in the same units (both in mM, both in %, both in mg/mL, etc.). Similarly, V₁ and V₂ should be in the same volume units. If they differ, convert one before calculating. Our calculator shows unit selectors to help you stay consistent.

Question 4

When should I use serial dilution?

Accepted Answer

Use serial dilution when you need very low concentrations that would require impractically small pipette volumes in a single step. For example, going from 1 M to 1 nM in one step would need a 0.000001 mL pipette — impossible. A serial tenfold dilution achieves this in 9 manageable steps.

Question 5

Is this calculator accurate for lab work?

Accepted Answer

The math is exact — we use JavaScript's native floating-point arithmetic and display results to 4 significant figures. However, real-world accuracy depends on your pipetting technique, volumetric equipment, temperature, and mixing. Always verify critical preparations with analytical methods.

Question 6

Can I use this for cleaning product dilutions?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Use the Percent mode for bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or other percentage-labeled products. Or use the Ratio mode if your product label gives a mixing ratio like "1:32". Both give you the exact volumes to measure.

Dilution Calculator

Dilution Calculator