How It Works
This calculator works in 4 steps.
Describe the series
Type the step factor, diluent per tube, and tube count.
Enter replicates
Type the number of identical series in the run.
Set the overage
Type the extra percent for dead volume and loss, such as 10%.
Read the budget
The calculator lists total stock, total diluent, tip count, and tube count.
The Formula
The formula multiplies per-series stock and diluent by the replicate count and the overage.
S = V_t × r × (1 + o)D = V_d × n × r × (1 + o)Tips = n × r- V_t:
- Transfer volume
- V_d:
- Diluent per tube
- n:
- Tubes per series
- r:
- Replicate series
- o:
- Overage fraction
Three twofold series of 8 tubes with 100 µL diluent need 300 µL stock and 2.4 mL diluent. With 10% overage the total liquid is 2.97 mL, and the run uses 24 tips.
Conversion Table
The conversion table totals stock, diluent, and liquid with 10% overage for 5 run designs.
| Series design | Replicates | Stock total | Diluent total | All liquid + 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2× / 8 tubes | 3 | 300 µL | 2.4 mL | 2.97 mL |
| 10× / 6 tubes | 2 | 200 µL | 10.8 mL | 12.1 mL |
| 3× / 10 tubes | 4 | 300 µL | 6 mL | 6.93 mL |
| 5× / 7 tubes | 2 | 100 µL | 2.8 mL | 3.19 mL |
| 10× / 8 tubes | 12 | 120 µL | 8.64 mL | 9.636 mL |
What Is the Serial Dilution Reagent Budget Calculator?
The Serial Dilution Reagent Budget Calculator is a tool that totals the stock, diluent, tips, and tubes for one or more serial dilution series. The calculator returns a single shopping list for the run.
The budget combines stock requirement, diluent requirement, and consumable counts in one place. Users enter series design, replicate count, and overage, and the calculator outputs volumes in µL, mL, and L with the number of tips needed for fresh-tip transfers.
Common Uses
There are 5 main uses of this calculator.
Run planning
Technicians prepare all reagents for a day's series in one session.
Consumable ordering
Lab managers order tips and tubes based on run counts.
Cost per sample
Core facilities price serial dilution services.
Teaching lab prep
Instructors prepare reagents for 20 student groups.
Grant budgets
Researchers estimate consumable costs for a project.