Dilution Ratio Calculator
Calculate dilution ratios for solutions and concentrates instantly
Calculate Dilution
Formula: C₁V₁ = C₂V₂
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dilution?
Dilution is the process of reducing the concentration of a solution by adding more solvent. The amount of solute remains constant, but the total volume increases.
What is the dilution formula?
C₁V₁ = C₂V₂, where C is concentration and V is volume. Subscript 1 refers to the initial (concentrated) solution, and subscript 2 refers to the final (diluted) solution.
What is a dilution ratio?
A dilution ratio expresses how much to dilute. A 1:10 dilution means 1 part concentrate to 9 parts diluent (total 10 parts). A 1:2 dilution means 1 part concentrate to 1 part diluent.
How do you calculate dilution factor?
Dilution factor = V₂/V₁ or C₁/C₂. For example, diluting 10 mL to 100 mL gives a dilution factor of 10. The final concentration is 1/10th of the initial.
What's the difference between dilution and concentration?
Dilution decreases concentration by adding solvent. Concentration increases by adding solute or removing solvent (evaporation). They're opposite processes.
Can you dilute multiple times?
Yes! For serial dilutions, multiply dilution factors. Two 1:10 dilutions give an overall 1:100 dilution. This is common in microbiology and analytical chemistry.