Understand the relationship
The reasoning behind the result
Count positions and liquid separately
A group occupies its entered number of physical wells, regardless of working volume. Total occupied positions cannot exceed the selected plate format. Liquid use is calculated separately as well count times final volume for each group.
The capacity field is a visitor-supplied working limit for the actual plate and method. It is not inferred from '96-well', because plates with the same position count can have different geometry and working-volume requirements.
Two allowances with explicit order
Vprepare = Vdispense + Vdispense(e/100) + Vreservoir
Percentage excess scales the liquid that will be dispensed. The fixed reservoir allowance is added afterward and is not multiplied by the excess percentage. This makes the assumptions visible and prevents an allowance from being applied twice.
The total is aggregate liquid demand. If groups use different formulations, their preparation must be separated in the laboratory. This tool does not assert that every listed group can share one reagent mixture.
Final working volume includes every addition
Enter the final liquid in a well, including samples and separately dispensed reagents, when checking its capacity. A reagent-only volume can understate occupancy if later additions are omitted.
The planner does not assign well addresses, choose controls or randomize conditions. Use the dedicated layout planner for address-level allocation and retain the experimental design separately.
Follow the numbers
Forty-eight occupied wells
- 36 sample wells plus 12 control wells occupy 48 of 96 positions.
- At 100 µL each, dispense demand is 4,800 µL.
- Ten percent excess adds 480 µL; a further 200 µL reservoir allowance gives 5,480 µL to prepare.
The plate retains 48 unused positions. The 680 µL allowance is not extra liquid to add to the occupied wells.
Quick guide
How to use this calculator
- Select position count and enter the working-volume limit from the actual plate and method.
- Enter occupied well groups and their final volumes.
- Enter percentage excess and any additional fixed reservoir allowance.
- Inspect each group's contribution, unused positions and preparation total.
Calculation method
Calculation and interpretation
Reconcile liquid required by the occupied wells with the amount that needs to be prepared.
Dispense volume = Σ(wells × volume per well); prepare = dispense × (1 + excess/100) + reservoir allowance
Worked example
Forty-eight occupied wells
The plate retains 48 unused positions. The 680 µL allowance is not extra liquid to add to the occupied wells.
Dispense volume = Σ(wells × volume per well); prepare = dispense × (1 + excess/100) + reservoir allowance
Supported inputs
Precision and limits
An entered laboratory plan
This tool reconciles the measurements and choices you enter. It does not select a biological protocol, certify a preparation, assess sample suitability or establish an equipment operating limit.
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