Solution Dilution
Calculator
Results
- Final volume (L)
- 1
- Solvent to add (L)
- 0.75
- Amount of substance (mol)
- 0.5
Chemistry results
| Final volume (L) | 1 |
| Solvent to add (L) | 0.75 |
| Amount of substance (mol) | 0.5 |
formula-map diagram
- Final volume (L)
- 1
- Solvent to add (L)
- 0.75
- Amount of substance (mol)
- 0.5
Formula breakdown
Formula
M₁ × V₁ = M₂ × V₂= 1
Note
Simplified model: these results assume ideal behaviour (ideal gases, dilute solutions, complete reactions) and standard textbook constants. Real laboratory values vary with temperature, pressure, purity and activity coefficients. Do not rely on this for safety-critical or analytical work.
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See all →Frequently asked questions
What does the dilution formula M1V1 = M2V2 mean?+
It states that the amount of solute (concentration times volume) stays constant before and after dilution, since you're only adding solvent, not more solute. M1 and V1 are the initial concentration and volume, M2 and V2 are the final concentration and volume after dilution.
How do I find out how much water to add for a dilution?+
Solve for V2 using M1V1 = M2V2, then subtract the initial volume V1 from V2 to get the volume of solvent to add. For example, diluting 10 mL of a 2M stock to 0.5M requires a final volume of 40 mL, meaning you add 30 mL of solvent.
Can this formula be used for any concentration unit?+
Yes, as long as you use the same concentration unit on both sides (both in molarity, or both in percent, or both in ppm) the formula holds regardless of the specific unit. Mixing units, like M1 in molarity and M2 in ppm, will give a meaningless result.
Why do lab protocols often specify a serial dilution instead of one large dilution?+
A single extreme dilution (like 1:10,000) is hard to measure accurately with standard lab equipment, so chemists perform it as several smaller, more precise steps (like four 1:10 dilutions in a row). Serial dilution reduces cumulative pipetting error for very large dilution factors.
What's a common mistake when using the dilution formula?+
Confusing V2 (the final total volume) with the amount of solvent added is the most frequent error — V2 already includes the original V1, so the added solvent is V2 minus V1, not V2 itself.