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Calcimator

Media Preparation Calculator

Calculate reagent volumes for cell culture media batches using C1V1 = C2V2 dilution.

Inputs

%
%
%
%

Results

Total volume needed (mL)

500

Base media (mL)440
FBS volume (mL)50
Antibiotic volume (mL)5
L-Glutamine volume (mL)5
Supplement volume (mL)0
Estimated cost ($)$33.80
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the desired volume per flask (mL) and number of flasks to prepare.
  2. Set FBS (%), antibiotic (%), L-Glutamine (%), and any other supplement percentages.
  3. Review Total Volume Needed (mL), Base Media (mL), FBS Volume (mL), and each supplement volume.
  4. Print the outputs as a preparation checklist to ensure accurate, reproducible media formulations.

How the result changes with Volume per flask (mL)

Volume per flask (mL)Total volume needed (mL)
10,00110,001
35,00135,001
65,00065,000
90,00090,000

What each input means

Volume per flask (mL)
Desired final media volume per flask in milliliters.
Number of flasks
Total number of flasks to prepare media for.
FBS (%)
Fetal bovine serum percentage. Standard is 10% for most cell lines.
Antibiotic (% v/v)
Pen/Strep or other antibiotic percentage. Standard is 1%.
L-Glutamine (% v/v)
L-Glutamine supplement percentage. Standard is 1% (2 mM final).
Other supplement (% v/v)
Additional supplement percentage (e.g., non-essential amino acids, sodium pyruvate).

What each result means

Total volume needed (mL)
Total media volume across all flasks.
Base media (mL)
Volume of base media (e.g., DMEM, RPMI) to add.
FBS volume (mL)
Volume of fetal bovine serum to add.
Antibiotic volume (mL)
Volume of antibiotic stock to add.
L-Glutamine volume (mL)
Volume of L-Glutamine stock to add.
Supplement volume (mL)
Volume of additional supplement to add.
Estimated cost ($)
Approximate cost based on typical reagent prices.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Volume per flask (mL) = 500, Number of flasks = 1, FBS (%) = 10, Antibiotic (% v/v) = 1 = 6 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Total volume needed
    Total volume needed = finalVolumeMl * numberOfFlasks
    500 = 500
  3. Calculate Base media
    Base media = totalVolumeMl - clampedSupplements
    440 = 440
  4. Calculate FBS volume
    FBS volume = totalVolumeMl * (fbsPercent / 100)
    50 = 50

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