Dilution Calculator
Easily calculate the volume of solution or solvent needed to dilute to your desired concentration. Supports molarity, percentage, and ratio units.
The fundamental dilution equation where the product of concentration and volume remains constant
Variables:
- C₁ = Initial concentration
- V₁ = Initial volume
- C₂ = Final concentration
- V₂ = Final volume
Example Calculation:
Problem: Dilute 50 mL of 12 M HCl to 3 M
Solution: V₂ = (C₁ × V₁) ÷ C₂
V₂ = (12 M × 50 mL) ÷ 3 M = 200 mL
Important Assumptions:
- • Solutions are additive (no significant volume change upon mixing)
- • Temperature remains constant during dilution
- • No chemical reactions occur during mixing
What is Dilution?
Dilution is the process of reducing the concentration of a solution by adding more solvent. This technique is fundamental in chemistry, allowing precise control over solution strength for experiments, manufacturing, and analytical procedures.
- Molarity (M): moles per liter
- Percentage (%): weight/volume or volume/volume
- g/L: grams per liter
- Volume: mL or L
- • Always add acid to water, never water to acid
- • Mix solutions slowly to avoid heat generation
- • Use appropriate safety equipment
- • Account for temperature effects on volume
- • Molarity Calculator
- • Normality Calculator
- • Molality Calculator
- • Solution Preparation
Laboratory Applications
- • Reagent preparation for experiments
- • Sample preparation for analysis
- • Buffer solution preparation
- • Standard solution preparation
- • Calibration curve preparation
Industrial Applications
- • Beverage manufacturing
- • Chemical manufacturing
- • Pharmaceutical production
- • Cosmetics formulation
- • Water treatment processes
Common Examples:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about dilution calculations and procedures
Yes, dilution can affect pH. For strong acids and bases, dilution will move pH toward neutral (7). For weak acids/bases and buffer solutions, the pH change depends on the specific system and may be minimal.
Use consistent units throughout your calculation. Common combinations include: Molarity (M) with mL or L, percentage (%) with mL, or g/L with L. The calculator handles unit conversions automatically.
No. Dilution directly affects molarity (moles per liter of solution) but has a more complex effect on molality (moles per kg of solvent) since you're adding solvent mass.
Calculate the final volume (V₂) using the dilution formula, then subtract the initial volume (V₁). The difference is the amount of solvent to add: Solvent to add = V₂ - V₁.
Always wear appropriate PPE, add acid to water (never the reverse), work in a well-ventilated area, and add solutions slowly to prevent heat buildup. Some dilutions can be highly exothermic.
Yes, but you'll need to perform the calculation for each step. For serial dilutions, each step becomes the 'initial' condition for the next dilution step.