How It Works
This calculator works in 4 steps.
Enter the stock's solvent percent
Type the solvent content of the stock, such as 100% DMSO.
Enter the dilution
Type DF, a ratio, or the stock and final volumes.
Add more additions
Add rows for each additional stock that carries the same solvent.
Read the residual solvent
The calculator returns % v/v, µL/mL, and mg/mL in the final solution.
The Formula
The formula divides the stock's solvent percent by the dilution factor.
%_res = %_stock / DFµL/mL = %_res × 10mg/mL = µL/mL × ρ_solvent- %_stock:
- Solvent percent in the stock
- DF:
- Dilution factor of the addition
- ρ_solvent:
- Solvent density, 1.10 g/mL for DMSO
A 1,000× stock in 100% DMSO gives 0.1% DMSO, which equals 1 µL/mL or 1.1 mg/mL DMSO.
Conversion Table
The conversion table gives residual solvent for 6 stock strengths in 100% solvent.
| Stock strength | Solvent | Stock added | Residual % v/v | Residual µL/mL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000× | DMSO | 1 µL per mL | 0.1% | 1 µL/mL |
| 500× | DMSO | 2 µL per mL | 0.2% | 2 µL/mL |
| 200× | Ethanol | 5 µL per mL | 0.5% | 5 µL/mL |
| 100× | DMSO | 10 µL per mL | 1% | 10 µL/mL |
| 2,000× | Methanol | 0.5 µL per mL | 0.05% | 0.5 µL/mL |
| 50× | Ethanol | 20 µL per mL | 2% | 20 µL/mL |
What Is the Residual Solvent Calculator?
The Residual Solvent Calculator is a tool that returns the amount of carrier solvent carried from a stock solution into the final working solution. A compound stock in 100% DMSO added at 1:1,000 leaves 0.1% DMSO in the final solution.
The carried-over solvent equals the stock's solvent fraction divided by the dilution factor. The calculator reports residual solvent in % v/v, µL per mL, and mg/mL using solvent density, and it sums multiple additions of the same solvent.
Common Uses
There are 5 main uses of this calculator.
Vehicle controls
Researchers match solvent levels in control wells.
Cell toxicity limits
Labs keep DMSO under tolerated levels for sensitive cells.
Animal dosing
Toxicologists track vehicle solvent in dosing solutions.
Enzyme assays
Biochemists account for solvent effects on activity.
Study documentation
Teams record final solvent content in reports.