Chemistry

Dilution Equations in Chemistry

By SC Editorial 2026-05-24 6 min read

The dilution equation C1V1 = C2V2 relates concentrations and volumes before and after diluting a solution.

Formula

C1V1 = C2V2. C is concentration, V is volume. If you know three variables, solve for the fourth. Use the Dilution Calculator.

Lab Example

Prepare 500 mL of 0.1 M solution from 2 M stock: V1 = C2V2/C1 = (0.1)(500)/2 = 25 mL stock plus water to 500 mL.

Safety Note

Always add acid to water, not water to acid. Wear appropriate PPE in the laboratory.

Going Deeper

Use C1V1 = C2V2 to prepare diluted solutions accurately. This guide connects theory to practice — use the related calculators linked at the bottom to verify each example with your own numbers.

Practical Tips

  • Write down given values and unknowns before opening the calculator.
  • Check units and rounding rules appropriate to your context (class, lab, or business).
  • Compare manual working with the calculator result to build confidence.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Rushing inputs without reading field labels carefully.
  • Confusing similar formulas that use different variables or units.
  • Reporting results with more precision than your inputs justify.
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