Bacterial Growth Calculator
🔬 Cells & microscopy. Use the Bacterial growth formula to find bacteria at the end, bacteria at the start, time, doubling time: pick the value you want, type the others, and the answer updates as you go.
g = the time each generation takes to divide (the doubling time).
Pick the ○ next to the value you want to find, fill in the others, and it solves as you type.
What each letter means
| Quantity | Unit |
|---|---|
| Bacteria at the end | no unit |
| Bacteria at the start | no unit |
| Time | min |
| Doubling time | min |
Worked example
Find the bacteria at the end when Bacteria at the start = 1000, Time = 200 min, Doubling time = 20 min.
Using N = N0 × 2^( t/g): Bacteria at the end = 1.024 × 10⁶.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for Bacterial growth?
N = N0 × 2^( t/g). g = the time each generation takes to divide (the doubling time).
What do the letters stand for, and what units are used?
Bacteria at the end, Bacteria at the start, Time in min, Doubling time in min.
How do you calculate bacteria at the end?
Put the values into N = N0 × 2^( t/g). For example, with Bacteria at the start = 1000, Time = 200 min, Doubling time = 20 min, bacteria at the end = 1.024 × 10⁶.
Can I solve for a different value?
Yes. In the calculator above, pick the circle next to any value (bacteria at the end, bacteria at the start, time, doubling time) and fill in the others: it rearranges the formula for you.
