labmatetools / 2.1 MASTER MIX ALL TOOLS

Master Mix Calculator

List what goes into one reaction, set how many reactions and how much extra. You get the volume of each reagent for the mix, ready to copy or print.

SECTION 02 — CALCULATORS · 2.1ENTER → SCALE → PRINT

nREACTIONS
rxns
+OVERAGE
VREACTION VOLUME
µL
START FROM Examples only — change the rows to match your kit.
REAGENT PER RXN (µL) IN MIX FOR MIX (µL) Remove
Total per reaction — —
ANSWER

SUMMARY
  1. MAKE MIX FOR—
  2. TOTAL MIX—
  3. MIX PER WELL—
  4. THEN ADD—
ABOUT THIS TOOL

How to use

  1. Start from an example or a blank table, then type each reagent and its volume in one reaction, in µL.
  2. Untick IN MIX for anything you add to each well separately — usually the template or sample. It stays in the reaction total but not in the mix.
  3. Set the number of reactions. Count every sample, control and replicate.
  4. Add overage to cover pipetting loss: a percentage (10% is common) or a number of extra reactions.
  5. Enter the reaction volume and tick Top up with water to have the water calculated for you.
  6. COPY TABLE pastes cleanly into Excel or your notebook. PRINT gives a one-page sheet for the bench.

The formula

volume in mix = per rxn × neff
neffn × (1 + overage %) or n + extra reactions
waterreaction volume − all other reagents
per wellsum of the reagents in the mix

Example. 24 qPCR reactions + 10% → mix for 26.4. With 10 µL of 2X master mix per reaction, the mix gets 264 µL of it.

Good to know

  1. Free to use. No subscription. Nothing you type leaves your browser; the table is saved in this browser.
  2. Keep enzymes and the polymerase on ice and add them last, as your kit's protocol says.
  3. Volumes are rounded to 4 significant figures.
  4. A calculator, not a protocol: check the per-reaction amounts against your kit.
QUESTIONS · MASTER MIX CALCULATOR

Frequently asked

How much overage should I add to a master mix?

10% is common to cover pipetting loss. You can also add a fixed number of extra reactions instead of a percentage.

Should the template go into the master mix?

Usually not. Untick IN MIX for anything you add to each well separately, such as the template or sample. It stays in the reaction total but not in the mix.

Can the calculator work out the water for me?

Yes. Enter the reaction volume and tick Top up with water; water = reaction volume minus all other reagents.

How is the volume for the mix calculated?

Volume in mix = volume per reaction × effective reactions. For example, 24 qPCR reactions + 10% overage = a mix for 26.4 reactions.