How to use (3 steps)
- Select a plate (or custom), then enter the number of wells and final volume (µL/well).
- Enter the target (cells/well or cells/cm²) and your stock concentration (cells/mL). Add viability (%) and overage (%) if needed.
- Click “Calculate” to see total prep volume and per-well volume (auto-calc updates on input).
Inputs (plate, wells, target, concentration)
Results (per well / total)
Per well
- Cell suspension
- —
- Media
- —
Total (with overage)
- Cell suspension
- —
- Media
- —
- Total volume
- —
Summary
| Vessel | — |
|---|---|
| Target | — |
| Required cells (total) | — |
| Final seeding mix concentration | — |
How it’s calculated
- Required cells (total) = target × used wells × (1 + overage)
- Cell suspension volume = required cells ÷ (stock concentration × viability)
- Media volume = total volume − cell suspension volume
- Per well = total ÷ used wells
How to plan a seeding mix that matches the plate
Use this page to translate a target cells-per-well or cells-per-cm² value into the actual suspension and media volumes you need at the bench.
Choose the target mode first
Cells per well is easiest when the vessel is fixed. Cells per square centimetre is better when you need comparable attachment density across different plates, flasks, or dishes.
What the calculator assumes
It assumes the stock concentration and viability come from the same counted suspension. The required-cell total includes your overage so that dead volume, reservoir loss, or multichannel pipetting does not leave the last wells underfilled.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing a viability percentage from one count with a concentration from another suspension.
- Using nominal well area from one plate brand while dispensing into another format.
- Ignoring the warning that the required cell suspension volume already exceeds the final mix volume.
What to do when the stock is too dilute
If the calculator says the suspension volume is larger than the final mix, the plan is physically impossible at that concentration. Concentrate the cells, lower the target density, or increase the final volume per well before proceeding.
See also
FAQ
How much overage (dead volume) should I add?
Because you lose some volume during pipetting, around 10% is common as a guide. Adjust to your protocol.
It says the cell suspension exceeds the final volume.
Your stock concentration may be too low. Consider concentrating cells, increasing the final volume, or lowering the target density.
Why enter viability (%)?
It lets you seed based on live cells. Lower viability increases the required cell suspension volume.
When should I use cells/cm²?
Use it when you want to match seeding density by surface area. Plate area can vary by manufacturer, so adjust if needed.
Does the share URL include values?
Because this calculator has few inputs, the share URL includes input values (calculations run in your browser; data is not sent).
Practical notes for cell seeding prep
Target choice
Cells/well is simplest when plate geometry is fixed. Cells/cm² is better when you move between vessels and want comparable attachment density.
Volume planning
The total mix includes your chosen overage. This helps absorb dead volume from reservoirs, multichannel pipetting, and small transfer losses.
Viability correction
If your count includes dead cells, use viability so the calculator seeds by live-cell equivalents rather than total counted particles.
Low-stock warning
When the required suspension volume is larger than the final mix volume, the stock is too dilute for that plan. Concentrate the cells, increase the final volume, or lower the seeding target.
Before you start
Check that the stock concentration and viability were measured from the same suspension, and confirm that the nominal area and working volume match your actual plate.
Recording runs
If you need to share conditions with collaborators, copy the result block or share URL so the exact inputs, overage, and target mode travel with the calculation.
Related tools
- Hemocytometer calculator (cells/mL & viability) | CalcBEConvert counted cells and viability into a stock concentration before you design the final seeding mix.
- A260 Calculator (DNA/RNA Concentration & Purity) | CalcBECheck nucleic-acid concentration separately when the workflow includes transfection or molecular follow-up after seeding.
- Beta diversity calculator (Jaccard / Bray–Curtis) | CalcBEUse this later when the experiment moves from plate setup to comparing community-level sample differences.
- Centrifuge converter (rpm ↔ RCF ×g) | by rotor radius | CalcBEConvert centrifuge settings when your prep step includes pelleting or washing cells before reseeding.
- Diversity index calculator (Shannon & Simpson) | CalcBEOpen diversity metrics after the assay shifts from cell plating to sample composition or ecology-style analysis.
Comments
Leave questions or suggestions. Comments load only after you click the button.