Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Serial Dilution Calculator.
How does the serial dilution calculator work?
Enter your starting concentration, dilution factor, and number of steps, and it generates a full table of volumes and resulting concentrations for each dilution.
What is a dilution factor?
The ratio of total volume to stock volume in a dilution — e.g. a 1:10 dilution means 1 part stock plus 9 parts diluent for 10 total parts.
Can it work out the dilution factor for me?
Yes, give it your start and target concentration plus the number of steps, and it computes the required equal per-step factor.
What is the CFU/mL mode for?
It back-calculates original bacterial concentration from a plate count: colonies ÷ (dilution factor × volume plated).
What units can I use?
mol/L, mg/mL, CFU/mL, percentage, or a generic units/mL option — pick whichever matches your experiment.
What if my transfer volume is larger than the tube volume?
The calculator flags this as invalid, since you can't transfer more liquid than the tube holds.
Does it show a visual diagram of the dilution series?
Yes, a simple tube-by-tube diagram shows the full chain so you can verify your setup.
Can I export the dilution table?
Yes, copy it as plain text for your lab notebook or report.
Is this tool free?
Completely free, no sign-up or downloads.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes, fully responsive, with the table scrolling cleanly on small screens.