Chemistry
Dilution factor
How many times weaker the final solution is. It also equals the final volume divided by the stock volume.
The Formula
DF = C1 / C2
How many times weaker the final solution is. It also equals the final volume divided by the stock volume.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DF | Dilution factor | ratio | The fold change in concentration, such as 10 for a tenfold dilution. |
| C1 | Stock concentration | mol/L | The concentration you are diluting from. |
| C2 | Final concentration | mol/L | The concentration you want. |
What Each Symbol Means
DFratio
Dilution factor
The fold change in concentration, such as 10 for a tenfold dilution.
C1mol/L
Stock concentration
The concentration you are diluting from.
C2mol/L
Final concentration
The concentration you want.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate dilution page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Dilution, filed under Science. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.