Viable Cell Count Calculator
🔭 Viable Cell Count Results
Viable Cell Density
—
Total Cell Density
—
cells/mL (live + dead)
Cell Viability
—
% viable cells
Total Viable Cells
—
in sample volume
Dead Cell Density
—
dead cells/mL
Viability
— % Viable
— % Dead
How to Use the Viable Cell Count Calculator
Count live (unstained, bright) and dead (blue-stained) cells in the hemocytometer squares under a microscope. Enter those counts along with dilution factors and the calculator outputs cell density and viability.
- Live Cells: Cells that exclude trypan blue — appear clear/bright under microscope.
- Dead Cells: Cells that take up trypan blue — appear dark blue under microscope.
- Squares Counted: Standard Neubauer hemocytometer uses 4 corner squares (1 mm² each).
- Trypan Blue Dilution: Most protocols mix 1:1 (cells + trypan blue), which doubles the dilution factor.
Viable Cell Count Formula
Cell Density (cells/mL) = (Cell Count / Squares) × Dilution × Trypan Blue Dilution × Chamber Factor
Chamber Factor = 1 / (Square Area × Depth)
Neubauer: 1 / (1 mm² × 0.1 mm) = 10⁴ cells/mL per cell counted
Example:
Live = 72, Dead = 8, Squares = 4, Dilution = 1, TB = 1:1
Total counted = 80, Avg per square = 20
Total density = 20 × 2 × 10⁴ = 4.0 × 10⁵ cells/mL
Viable density = (72/80) × 4.0 × 10⁵ = 3.6 × 10⁵ cells/mL
Viability = 72/80 × 100 = 90%
Chamber Factor = 1 / (Square Area × Depth)
Neubauer: 1 / (1 mm² × 0.1 mm) = 10⁴ cells/mL per cell counted
Example:
Live = 72, Dead = 8, Squares = 4, Dilution = 1, TB = 1:1
Total counted = 80, Avg per square = 20
Total density = 20 × 2 × 10⁴ = 4.0 × 10⁵ cells/mL
Viable density = (72/80) × 4.0 × 10⁵ = 3.6 × 10⁵ cells/mL
Viability = 72/80 × 100 = 90%
Cell Viability Interpretation
- ≥ 95% viable: Excellent — cells are healthy, suitable for most experiments.
- 90–95% viable: Good — acceptable for most applications.
- 80–90% viable: Fair — may affect experimental results; consider fresh passage.
- < 80% viable: Poor — high cell death; do not use for sensitive assays. Check culture conditions.
- Trypan blue limitation: Only detects membrane integrity loss — cells with intact membranes but compromised metabolism may be counted as viable.