Chemistry

Dilution Calculator

Work out how much stock solution and how much diluent a target concentration needs.

M
mL
M
Stock volume needed
C₁V₁ = C₂V₂Stock concentrationMFinal volumemLFinal concentrationM

Add acid to water, never the reverse

The arithmetic says nothing about order, but the chemistry does. Diluting concentrated acid releases enough heat to boil the first drops of water and spit acid back out. Always add the acid to the larger volume of water, slowly, with stirring.

What this page needs from you

This page asks for stock concentration in M, final volume in mL and final concentration in M. From those it returns stock volume needed in mL, together with diluent to add, dilution factor, ratio (stock : total) and final volume. Every figure updates as you type, and nothing you enter leaves your browser.

Where lab results and calculated results part company

These relations describe ideal behaviour: ideal gases, complete reactions, fully dissociated strong acids, no side products. Real yields fall short, real gases deviate near condensation, and real solutions show activity effects at higher concentrations. The calculated figure is the target to compare a measurement against, not a prediction of what the flask will contain.

The formula

C₁V₁ = C₂V₂

Every result on this page comes from this formula. Nothing is rounded until the final display, so figures match a spreadsheet to the cent.

How to use the Dilution Calculator

  1. Fill in each field with your own figures — the defaults are only there as an example.
  2. The result updates as you type, so there is no button to press.
  3. Check the breakdown under the main result for the supporting numbers.
  4. Use the copy button to take the result with you, or share the link to reload the same inputs.

Dilution Calculator — frequently asked questions

Is this dilution calculator free to use?

Yes. Every calculator on the site is free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser, so your figures never leave your device.

How accurate is the result?

The maths is exact for the formula shown on the page. Accuracy in the real world depends on your inputs and on assumptions the formula cannot see, so treat the output as a well-grounded estimate rather than a quote.

Can I use it on my phone?

Yes. The page is responsive, weighs a few kilobytes and works offline once loaded, so it behaves the same on a phone as on a desktop.

What people search for

This page answers each of these searches. They are the exact phrases visitors use to find the dilution calculator.

  • dilution calculator
  • how to dilute a solution
  • molarity dilution
  • stock solution dilution
  • serial dilution
  • c1v1 c2v2

About this calculator

Written and reviewed by The Samsung Calculator editorial team. Every calculator is written against a published formula, reviewed against at least one independent reference implementation, and dated when it changes.

Last reviewed September 14, 2026 · Calculation runs client-side · No data collected · Report an error