This technote provides information about the concentration range spanned and preparation calculations for serial dilutions. Figure 1 illustrates the range of concentrations spanned by a series of twelve dilutions with commonly utilized dilution factors. The following also provides calculations for the preparation of a serial dilution factor. Bold indicates standard calculations regardless of the dilution factor used. Refer to Figure 2 to clarify the experimental set up.

Sample Experiment Example:

• 3 mL Sample Volume
• 2.5 fold serial dilution

Figure 1. Dilution Spans on Theory Curve.

Prepare Serial Dilutions:

• Calculate the total Sample Volume necessary to run each sample.

• Calculate the Starting Volume for tube 1:

• Calculate the Pipet Transfer Volume:

Figure 2. Serial dilution experimental set up diagram showing Tube 1 (Starting Volume) through Final Tube, with Pipet Transfer Volume moved between each tube, and the final transfer discarded.