Serial dilution
Dilution series with per-tube volumes and concentrations.
What this calculator does
Plan a serial dilution series: per-tube transfer and diluent volumes, dilution factors and the resulting concentration of every tube.
Calculation model
Multiplicative dilution factors, per-stage volumes + setpoint audit
Formulas
- F02 · Serial dilution:
DF_i = V_total,i / V_aliquot,i;DF_total = Π DF_i;C_end = C_start / DF_total - P01 · Direct working dilution:
C_source · V_source = C_working · V_prepared;DF = C_source / C_working = V_prepared / V_source;V_diluent = V_prepared − V_source - P08 · Instrument setpoint quantization:
setpoint_nL = round(V · 1000 / increment_nL) · increment_nL (nearest | down | up);settable ⇔ range_min ≤ setpoint ≤ range_max; increment ≠ accuracy
Assumptions
- Volumes are additive and solutions homogeneous.
- Complete mixing before each transfer; no carry-over or adsorption losses.
Verification status
- tests-passed means automated algorithm tests (unit, property, integration and browser end-to-end) pass. It is not an independent scientific review and not laboratory validation.
References
- [S01] NEB: NEBioCalculator (DNA, ligation, OD260, dilution and molarity calculators) (accessed 2026-10-29)
- [EP01] Eppendorf: Research plus technical data (DE): ranges, increments, published test-point deviations. Pinned dataset; live page not re-verified (HTTP 403, 2026-10-29) (accessed 2026-10-29)
- [R2SPEC] Project: docs/RELEASE_2_INTELLIGENT_PREPARATION_SPEC.md v1.0 (2026-10-29): preparation model and recommendation rules (proposed specification, not validation evidence)
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