Cell Viability Calculator

A cell viability calculator is a tool that determines the percentage of living cells in a population by analyzing counts of viable and non-viable cells, typically obtained through methods like Trypan Blue exclusion assay.

Mix your cell suspension with Trypan Blue dye (usually 1:1 ratio). Live cells exclude the dye and appear bright/unstained, while dead cells take up the dye and appear blue. Count both types in hemocytometer squares under a microscope.

Generally, >90% is considered excellent, 80-90% is good, 70-80% is fair, and <70% is poor. However, acceptable viability depends on your specific cell type and experimental requirements.

The dilution factor depends on your cell density. For Trypan Blue, typically use 1:1 (dilution factor = 2) or 1:2 (dilution factor = 3). Higher cell densities may require greater dilutions for accurate counting.

Count at least 4-5 large squares (1mm x 1mm each) for statistical accuracy. If cell density is very low or high, adjust accordingly. Aim to count 100-200 total cells for reliable results.

The hemocytometer factor converts your cell count per square to cells per mL. The standard factor is 10,000 (10⁴), which accounts for the chamber depth (0.1mm) and converts to cells/mL.

This calculator is primarily designed for direct cell counting methods like Trypan Blue. For MTT, alamarBlue, or LDH assays, you'll need specialized calculations based on optical density or fluorescence measurements.

Check your dilution factor, number of squares counted, and hemocytometer factor. Also ensure you're counting the correct chamber area and that your cell suspension is well-mixed before sampling.