Dilution Calculator
C₁V₁ = C₂V₂, solved for whichever value you're missing.
How the equation works
C₁V₁ = C₂V₂
Dilution changes the volume but not the amount of solute, and concentration times volume IS the amount. To make 100 mL of 0.5 M from a 10 M stock: V₁ = 0.5 × 100 / 10 = 5 mL of stock, topped up with 95 mL of solvent. Any concentration unit works as long as both sides use the same one.
Serial dilutions and a safety note
Very large dilutions (say 10,000×) are done in steps of 10× or 100×, because pipetting 10 µL into a liter multiplies any pipetting error. And the old lab rule for strong acids: always add acid to water, never water to acid; the first splash of a concentrated acid meeting water boils.