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Solution Dilution Calculator

Diluting a solution moves the same amount of solute into more liquid — nothing is removed, which is exactly what makes the arithmetic simple and what the equation C1V1 = C2V2 says. This computes the final volume for a target concentration, tells you how much diluent to add, and then measures the solute before and after to confirm it has not changed.

What this generator does

Applies the dilution equation to find the final volume, subtracts the stock volume to give the diluent needed, and then multiplies concentration by volume on both sides to confirm the solute is unchanged.

How to use this tool

  1. Enter the stock concentration and how much of it you have.
  2. Enter the concentration you want.
  3. Read the final volume and the diluent to add.
  4. Check the solute figures before and after — they are identical.

Understanding the controls

Stock concentration and volume
What you are starting with. Any consistent units work — molar and millilitres, or percent and litres.
Target concentration
What you want to end up with. It cannot exceed the stock, since dilution can only weaken a solution.

Common use cases

  • Working out how much water to add to reach a target strength
  • Preparing a working solution from a stock
  • Teaching the dilution equation with the conservation shown
  • Checking a dilution calculation before doing it at the bench
  • Producing dilution problems with verified answers

How this generator works

The dilution equation says concentration times volume is the amount of solute, and that amount does not change when you add diluent — so the final volume is the stock concentration times the stock volume, divided by the target concentration. The diluent to add is the difference between the final and starting volumes. Before display the solute is computed independently on both sides and the two must match, which is the conservation the whole equation rests on.

Randomness and fairness

Nothing here is random. Three figures give exactly one final volume.

For how randomness is produced across the whole site, see how Generate Random works.

Limitations and good to know

  • Volumes are assumed to add: mixing some liquids gives slightly less than the sum, which matters for precise work.
  • Make up to the final volume rather than adding the diluent amount blindly — for anything precise that is a real difference and a real source of error.
  • Serial dilutions, where each step feeds the next, need the calculation repeating rather than a single step.
  • Units are yours to keep consistent; the arithmetic cannot tell molar from percent.

Privacy and your data

The calculation runs in your browser and the concentrations and volumes you enter are never transmitted, stored or included in analytics.

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