PCR cycle calculator

This calculator helps determine the optimal number of PCR cycles needed to amplify your DNA target to the desired concentration.

Input Parameters

Calculation Results

Calculation Formula

Cycles = log2((Desired Concentration × Reaction Volume) / (Initial Concentration × Reaction Volume)) × (1 / (1 - Efficiency/100))

Where:
- Initial Concentration: Starting amount of DNA template
- Desired Concentration: Target amount of DNA product
- Reaction Volume: Total volume of PCR reaction
- Efficiency: PCR amplification efficiency (percentage)

PCR cycle calculator Calculator Usage Guide

Learn how to use the PCR cycle calculator and its working principles

How to use the PCR cycle calculator

  1. Enter your initial DNA concentration (ng/µL). This is the amount of template DNA you start with.
  2. Enter your desired final concentration (ng/µL). This is the target amount of amplified DNA you want to achieve.
  3. Specify the reaction volume (µL) of your PCR. The default is 20 µL, but you can adjust this based on your protocol.
  4. Enter the PCR efficiency (percentage). A typical PCR efficiency is 90-100%. If you're unsure, use 100%.
  5. Click the "Calculate" button to determine the required number of PCR cycles.

Understanding PCR Cycle Calculation

The calculator uses the formula:

Cycles = log2((Desired Concentration × Reaction Volume) / (Initial Concentration × Reaction Volume)) × (1 / (1 - Efficiency/100))

This formula calculates the number of cycles needed to amplify your DNA target to the desired concentration based on the amplification efficiency.

Practical Tips

  • PCR efficiency is an important parameter. A higher efficiency means more amplification per cycle, requiring fewer cycles.
  • The calculator provides an estimate. It's always good to optimize your PCR conditions for the specific experiment.
  • If your desired concentration is very high, you might need to consider limiting the number of cycles to avoid non-specific amplification.