This professional-grade tool helps researchers, biologists, and lab technicians compute cell culture doubling time, specific growth rate, and related quantities. Solve for doubling time from two measurements or project counts using a known doubling time — fast, accurate, and fully accessible on any device.
The calculator implements the standard exponential growth model widely used in cell biology to derive doubling time and growth rate. All calculations strictly follow these references:
Tutti i calcoli si basano rigorosamente sulle formule e sui dati forniti da questa fonte.
Given an exponential growth model N(t) = N_0 e^{\mu t}, the following relationships hold:
Doubling time:
$$ T_d = \frac{t \cdot \ln(2)}{\ln\!\left(\frac{N_t}{N_0}\right)} $$
Specific growth rate:
$$ \mu = \frac{\ln\!\left(\frac{N_t}{N_0}\right)}{t} = \frac{\ln(2)}{T_d} $$
Forward and inverse projections:
$$ N_t = N_0 \cdot 2^{\,t/T_d}, \qquad N_0 = \frac{N_t}{2^{\,t/T_d}}, \qquad t = T_d \cdot \log_2\!\left(\frac{N_t}{N_0}\right) $$
Suppose you seed a flask at N0 = 2.0×10^5 cells and measure Nt = 8.0×10^5 cells after t = 48 hours. Apply the formula:
$$ T_d = \frac{48 \cdot \ln(2)}{\ln(8.0\times10^5 / 2.0\times10^5)} = \frac{48 \cdot \ln(2)}{\ln(4)} = \frac{48 \cdot \ln(2)}{2\ln(2)} = 24\ \text{h} $$
Therefore, doubling time Td ≈ 24 h, population doublings PD = log₂(4) = 2, and growth rate μ = ln(4) / 48 ≈ 0.0289 h⁻¹ (≈ 0.693 / 24).
Yes. Inputs accept values like 2e5 or 8.0e5. The display will use readable formatting while maintaining internal precision.
Use total counts for N0 and Nt. If you have concentrations, multiply by sample volume to convert to total counts. Always keep units consistent between N0 and Nt.
Doubling time is defined for growth (Nt > N0). If your population shrank, consider computing μ (which may be negative) or repeat measurements in the log phase of growth.
Biological variability often dominates. Use log-phase measurements, replicate counts, and consistent counting methods to minimize error.
The chart plots the exponential model N(t) = N0 · 2^(t/Td) across the measured interval using a log-scaled y-axis for interpretability.
Cite as: “Cell Doubling Time Calculator, CalcDomain. URL: https://calcdomain.com/science/biology/cell-doubling-time-calculator (accessed [date]).” Include the primary sources listed above for the underlying formulas.