Dilution Factor Calculator - Molarity, Percent (2024)

Dilution Factor Calculator - Molarity, Percent

Meant to be used in both the teaching and research laboratory, this calculator (see below) can be utilized to perform dilution factor calculations when working with molar or percent (%) solutions. See our Molar Solution Concentration Calculator for a definition of molarity and molar solutions. See also our Percent (%) Solutions Calculator for a definition of percent solutions. When a concentrated solution is diluted, the dilution factor may be expressed as the ratio of the concentration of stock solution to the concentration of the diluted solution. The dilution factor may also be expressed as the ratio of the volume of the final diluted solution to the initial volume removed from the stock solution. See below for the dilution factor equations.

For example, if a 100 mM stock solution is diluted to yield a 10 mM solution, the resulting dilution factor is 10. For this particular dilution, it can also be said that the stock solution was diluted 10-fold. As another example, if 100 mL of a stock solution is diluted with solvent/diluent to a total, final volume of 1000 mL, the resulting dilution factor is 10. It can also be said that the stock solution was diluted 10-fold. Therefore, a 10-fold dilution is the same as a dilution factor of 10. Therefore, dilution by any factor X is equivalent to X-fold dilution.

Please note that the dilution factor calculator below uses the metric unit for volume (fL, pL, nL, μL, mL, and L). If you wish to convert these units to other volume units, please use our Unit Conversion Calculator.

If you are starting with the solid material and wish to make a solution with the concentration expressed in molarity, use our Molar Solution Concentration Calculator.

Additional dilution factor calculators are also available and are suited to more specialized applications (see here).

Dilution factor equation - molarity, percent

• Dilution Factor is the factor by which the stock solution is diluted. It may be expressed as the ratio of the volume of the final diluted solution (V₂) to the initial volume removed from the stock solution (V₁), as shown in the equation above. Dilution factor may also be expressed as the ratio of the concentration of stock solution (C₁) to the concentration of the final diluted solution (C₂).
• Stock Solution Concentration (C₁) is the concentration of the stock solution.
• Volume from Stock Solution (V₁) is the volume to be removed (i.e., aliquoted) from the concentrated stock solution.
• Final Diluted Solution Concentration (C₂) is the concentration of the final diluted solution.
• Final Solution Volume (V₂) is the final volume of the diluted solution. This is the volume that results after the volume from the stock solution (V₁) has been diluted with solvent or diluent to achieve a total diluted volume of the final solution (V₂). Please note that the final volume refers to the total solution volume, which is the combined volume of the stock solution and the volume of solvent/diluent used for dilution.

Dilution factor calculator - molarity, percent

Each calculator cell shown below corresponds to a term in the formula presented above. Two main options are available for this calculator: the dilution factor may either be calculated or specified.

Dilution factor calculated: For this calculation, enter appropriate values in all cells except the dilution factor and the one you wish to calculate. Therefore, at least three cells must have values, and the dilution factor and the parameter you wish to calculate must be blank. The value of the dilution factor and the blank cell will be calculated based on the other values entered. After a calculation is performed, the calculated cell will be highlighted and subsequent calculations will calculate the value of the highlighted cell (with no requirement to have a blank cell). However, a blank cell has priority over a highlighted cell.

Dilution factor specified: For this calculation, the following must be entered: (1) desired dilution factor; (2) either the stock concentration (C₁) or final concentration (C₂), but not both; and (3) either the volume from stock solution (V₁) or final solution volume (V₂), but not both. Therefore, two cells must be blank: (C₁ or C₂) and (V₁ or V₂). The value of the blank cells will be calculated based on the other values entered. After a calculation is performed, the two calculated cells will be highlighted and subsequent calculations will calculate the values for the highlighted cells (with no requirement to have two blank cells). However, two blank cells have priority over two highlighted cells.

For convenience, this calculator allows you to select different volume and concentration units, and the necessary conversions are carried out for you to obtain the value of the blank cell(s) in the desired unit. When working with percent (%) solutions, the concentration unit must be % for both the stock concentrated solution and final diluted solution.

Comments and/or preparation instructions

Relevant comments and/or instructions will appear here after a calculation is performed.