Compute the antibiotic stock volume for a target working concentration with C₁V₁ = C₂V₂, supporting mg/mL, µg/mL, g/L, ng/mL and × fold notation.
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Tool usage guide
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Key facts
Category
Health
Input types
number, select
Output type
json
Sample coverage
4
API ready
Yes
Overview
Calculate the antibiotic stock volume needed to reach a target working concentration with the C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ formula. Enter stock and working concentrations in mg/mL, µg/mL, g/L, ng/mL or × fold units plus the final medium volume to receive the stock volume in mL and µL, the remaining medium volume, and the dilution factor.
When to use
When adding ampicillin, kanamycin or another antibiotic stock to LB or similar culture medium.
When converting a concentrated stock (mg/mL or 1000×) into a µg/mL or 1× working solution.
When you need the exact pipette volume and remaining medium volume for a given final volume.
How it works
1Enter the stock concentration and choose its unit (mg/mL, µg/mL, g/L, ng/mL or × fold).
2Enter the desired working concentration with its unit and the total final volume in µL, mL or L.
3The tool converts units, applies C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ and returns the stock volume (mL and µL), medium volume to add and dilution factor.
Use cases
Prepare 100 mL LB-ampicillin at 50 µg/mL from a 100 mg/mL stock.
Dilute a 1000× antibiotic stock to 1× in 500 mL of medium.
Calculate the stock volume needed for kanamycin or chloramphenicol selection plates.
Examples
1. Ampicillin 100 mg/mL stock to 50 µg/mL in 100 mL
Microbiology technician
Background
A 100 mL bottle of LB broth must be supplemented with ampicillin from a frozen 100 mg/mL stock.
Problem
Find the exact microlitre volume of stock that yields 50 µg/mL without unit-conversion errors.
How to use
Set stock concentration to 100 mg/mL, working concentration to 50 µg/mL and final volume to 100 mL.
Outcome
Add 0.05 mL (50 µL) of stock to 99.95 mL medium (1:2000 dilution).
2. 1000× stock to 1× working concentration in 500 mL
Research scientist
Background
A 1000× antibiotic concentrate must be diluted into 500 mL of selective medium.
Problem
Determine how much 1000× stock produces a 1× working concentration.
How to use
Enter stock 1000 fold, working 1 fold and final volume 500 mL.
Outcome
Add 0.5 mL (500 µL) of stock to 499.5 mL medium (1:1000 dilution).
FAQ
What formula does the calculator use?
It uses C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ so that stock volume V₁ equals working concentration times final volume divided by stock concentration.
Which concentration units are supported?
mg/mL, µg/mL, g/L, ng/mL and × (fold concentration) for both stock and working values.
Can stock and working concentrations use different units?
Yes. Units are converted automatically, so a 100 mg/mL stock can be paired with a 50 µg/mL working concentration.
What volume units can I enter?
Final volume accepts µL, mL or L. Results always report stock volume in both mL and µL.
What typical working concentrations are used?
Common values include ampicillin 50–100 µg/mL and kanamycin 25–50 µg/mL; follow your own protocol.