# Serial Dilution Planner (10-Fold Series) 10-fold series design: step count from a target, per-tube concentration table, and the 1:9 transfer recipe. Educational use only. > Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/serial-dilution-planner - **Category:** Education - **Keywords:** serial dilution calculator, 10 fold dilution series, dilution planner, log dilution scheme, how many dilution tubes, 1 to 10 dilution recipe, 100 microliter 900 microliter dilution, cfu dilution series, microbiology calculator, lab calculator ## Overview Serial Dilution Planner (10-Fold Series) calculates the number of 10-fold dilution steps or applies a fixed step count, then provides the concentration at each tube and the 1:9 transfer recipe based on the selected tube volume. It is intended for educational use only. ## Inputs - **Planning Mode** (select): Solve the step count from a target concentration, or start from a known step count. - **Stock Concentration** (number): Concentration of the starting material (any consistent unit). - **Target Concentration** (number): Concentration the final tube should reach or fall below (target mode). - **Number of 10× Steps** (number): Fixed step count (steps mode), 1–12. - **Total Volume per Tube (mL)** (number): Final volume in each dilution tube; sets the transfer recipe. - **Decimal Places** (number) ## When to use - Determine how many 10-fold dilution tubes are needed to reach or fall below a target concentration. - Create a concentration table for a fixed number of 10-fold dilution steps. - Calculate the sample and diluent volumes for each tube in a 1:9 dilution series. ## How it works - Choose From target concentration or From number of steps. - Enter the stock concentration and, when using target mode, the target concentration. - Enter the number of steps when using steps mode, along with the total volume for each tube. - The planner calculates each tube concentration and the transfer recipe: 10% sample from the previous tube and 90% diluent. ## Use cases - Plan dilution tubes for a microbiology concentration series. - Identify which tube in a fixed 10-fold series best matches an assay range. - Standardize sample and diluent volumes for educational laboratory planning. ## Frequently asked questions ### What dilution series does this planner calculate? It calculates serial dilution schemes using repeated 10-fold steps, equivalent to a 1:9 sample-to-diluent transfer. ### How is the number of steps calculated? In target mode, the planner uses the smallest whole number of steps that brings the concentration to the target or below it. ### What does each tube concentration represent? Tube k is calculated as the stock concentration divided by 10 to the power of k. ### How does tube volume affect the recipe? The selected final tube volume determines the sample and diluent amounts. For a 1 mL tube, the recipe is 100 µL sample plus 900 µL diluent. ### Can I use concentration units other than CFU/mL? Yes. 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