Lemonade logic
Mix 1 part lemon syrup with 9 parts water and you get a 10× dilution. It tastes 10 times less strong—sweet!
Ratio → Strength
Dilution Calculator (C1V1 = C2V2)
Inputs
Enter initial concentration C1
Result:
Dilution factor
—
Aliquot (stock to pipette)
—
Solvent to add
—
Tips: Ctrl/Cmd + Enter calculates · Esc clears.
Dilution Calculator: Make Accurate Solutions with C1V1 = C2V2
Whether you are preparing a lab buffer, mixing a disinfectant, or scaling a flavor concentrate, dilution is the everyday math that turns a strong stock into a usable solution. This calculator helps you find the missing value in the classic dilution equation, so you can confidently measure how much stock and solvent to combine without guessing.
The idea is simple: when you dilute, the amount of solute stays the same, but the total volume changes. That relationship is captured by C1V1 = C2V2. It links the concentration and volume before dilution (the stock) to the concentration and volume after dilution (the final mix).
- C1 — initial concentration of the stock (for example, M, mM, %, or ppm)
- V1 — the volume you take from the stock
- C2 — target concentration after dilution
- V2 — final total volume of the diluted solution
Dilution factor (DF): DF = C1/C2 = V2/V1. A DF of 10 is a 10× dilution (1 part stock + 9 parts solvent).
How to use this calculator
- Decide which value you need to solve for: C1, V1, C2, or V2.
- Enter the three known values using consistent units (same concentration family and same volume units).
- Review the result and the dilution factor to confirm the scale makes sense.
- If you solved for V1, subtract it from V2 to get how much solvent to add.
For example, to make 500 mL of a 0.10 M NaCl solution from a 1.0 M stock, the equation gives V1 = (0.10 × 500) / 1.0 = 50 mL. Measure 50 mL of stock, then add solvent until you reach 500 mL total for a 10× dilution.
Where this is useful
Dilution calculations show up in chemistry and biology labs (buffers, reagents, standard curves), in food and beverage preparation (syrups, extracts, concentrates), and in everyday tasks such as mixing cleaning solutions, aquarium additives, or garden treatments. If a label gives a target ratio or concentration, this tool converts that instruction into precise volumes.
Serial dilutions and unit tips
Very large dilutions are often done in stages, called serial dilutions. Three 1:100 steps produce an overall 1:1,000,000 dilution, which is easier to measure accurately than a single massive step.
- Match concentration families between C1 and C2 (molarity with molarity, percent with percent).
- Match volume units between V1 and V2 (mL with mL, L with L).
- Converting between % and molarity requires density and molecular weight, so treat them separately here.
5 Fun Facts about Dilutions
Half strength = 1:1
Equal parts stock and water (1:1) cut the strength in half. It’s the quickest way to “make it milder.”
Quick fix
Step-by-step wins
Huge dilutions are easier in steps. Do a small mix, then another, then another—like walking down a staircase instead of jumping.
Serial steps
Match your units
Keep C1 and C2 in the same kind (both molarity or both percent) and V1 and V2 in the same volume units. Apples with apples!
Apples-to-apples
Solute stays, water plays
When you dilute, you add solvent (like water). The amount of solute (the “stuff” in the mix) stays the same—you just spread it out.
Spread it out
Embed this calculator
Paste this iframe into any page or CMS. It’s private, responsive, and resizes automatically.
px (auto-resizes after load)
<iframe
src="https://starlighttools.org/embed/dilution-calculator"
width="100%"
height="620"
frameborder="0"
sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin"
loading="lazy"
title="Dilution Calculator (C1V1 = C2V2)"></iframe>How auto-resize works
The embed posts { type: 'starlighttools-resize', height } to its parent. Most sites don’t need any extra code;
the iframe’s own height attribute is only a starting point.