Free Research Tool

Peptide Calculator

Calculate reconstitution volumes, dosing schedules, and cost per dose for any research peptide. Enter your vial size, water volume, and desired dose — results update instantly.

Reviewed byDr. Sarah Mitchell, PharmD, BCPS· Updated March 2026
mg
mL
mcg
Concentration2.50 mg/mL
Volume to draw per dose0.100 mL
Insulin syringe units10.0 units
Doses per vial20
020406080100

Draw to 10.0 units

0.100 mL

How to Use the Peptide Calculator

  1. 1

    Choose your calculator

    Use the tabs above to switch between the Reconstitution Calculator (to find injection volumes), the Dosage Schedule Calculator (to plan supply duration), or the Cost Per Dose Calculator (to budget your research).

  2. 2

    Enter your vial details

    Input the peptide vial size in milligrams (mg). This is printed on the vial label — common sizes are 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, and 20 mg. You can type a custom value or use the quick-select buttons.

  3. 3

    Set the water volume

    Enter how many milliliters (mL) of bacteriostatic water you plan to add. More water means a more dilute solution with larger draw volumes; less water means a more concentrated solution. Most researchers use 1–3 mL.

  4. 4

    Enter your desired dose

    Type the per-injection dose in micrograms (mcg). If you're unsure, consult the dosing quick-reference table below for typical research ranges by peptide.

  5. 5

    Read your results

    The calculator instantly shows the concentration (mg/mL), the exact volume to draw in milliliters, the equivalent insulin syringe units (U-100), and how many doses the vial contains. The animated syringe diagram provides a visual reference for the draw volume.

Reconstitution Basics

What is reconstitution?

Reconstitution is the process of adding a sterile liquid (diluent) to a freeze-dried (lyophilized) peptide powder to create an injectable solution. Most research peptides ship as a dry powder inside a sealed glass vial. The powder is produced through lyophilization — a controlled freeze-drying process that removes water while preserving the peptide's molecular structure. Before the peptide can be measured and administered in precise microgram doses, it must be dissolved back into liquid form.

Why bacteriostatic water?

Bacteriostatic water (BAC water) is sterile water containing 0.9 % benzyl alcohol as a preservative. The benzyl alcohol inhibits bacterial growth, which allows you to draw from the same vial multiple times over several weeks without contamination. Alternatives like sterile water for injection lack a preservative and should be used only for single-dose preparations. Sodium chloride (0.9 % normal saline) is another option for certain peptides, but bacteriostatic water is by far the most common diluent in peptide research.

How to mix step-by-step

  1. Prepare your supplies: Gather your peptide vial, a bacteriostatic water vial, an alcohol swab, and a sterile syringe (1–3 mL with a needle, or an insulin syringe).
  2. Swab the vial tops: Wipe both the peptide vial stopper and the BAC water vial stopper with alcohol pads. Allow to air dry for a few seconds.
  3. Draw the water: Using your syringe, draw the desired volume of bacteriostatic water. Use this calculator to determine the right amount.
  4. Add water to the peptide vial: Insert the needle through the peptide vial's rubber stopper. Angle the needle so the water runs gently down the inside wall of the vial — never spray directly onto the powder cake, as this can damage fragile peptide bonds.
  5. Gently swirl: Remove the needle and gently roll or swirl the vial between your fingers until the powder is fully dissolved. This usually takes 1–3 minutes. Never shake the vial vigorously.
  6. Refrigerate: Store the reconstituted vial upright in the refrigerator at 36–46 °F (2–8 °C). Most peptides remain stable for up to 28–30 days when stored correctly.

Storage instructions

Refrigerate at 36–46 °F (2–8 °C)

Store reconstituted vials upright in the fridge. Keep away from the freezer compartment.

Protect from light

UV and visible light accelerate peptide degradation. Store in a dark area of the fridge.

Label and date every vial

Write the reconstitution date, peptide name, and concentration on the vial or a label.

Use within 28–30 days

Discard any reconstituted peptide that is past its use window, cloudy, or discolored.

Peptide Dosing Quick Reference

PeptideCommon Dose RangeTypical FrequencyCommon Vial Size
BPC-157250–500 mcg1–2× daily5 mg
Semaglutide250–2,000 mcgWeekly2–5 mg
CJC-1295100–300 mcg2–3× / week2–5 mg
Ipamorelin200–300 mcg2–3× daily5 mg
TB-5002,000–5,000 mcg2× / week5–10 mg
GHK-Cu200–600 mcgDaily5 mg
PT-141500–2,000 mcgAs needed10 mg

Dose ranges are compiled from published research literature and are for educational reference only. Actual protocols vary by researcher. This is not medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reconstitution is the process of dissolving a lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder with a sterile diluent—usually bacteriostatic water—to create an injectable solution. The peptide arrives as a delicate powder cake in a sealed vial. By slowly adding a precise amount of bacteriostatic water, you turn it into a measurable liquid that can be drawn into an insulin syringe for accurate dosing.

There is no single "correct" amount; the volume you add simply changes the concentration. Adding more water means a lower concentration (larger injection volumes per dose), while less water means a higher concentration (smaller injection volumes). Most researchers use 1–2 mL for smaller vials (2–5 mg) and 2–3 mL for larger vials (10–20 mg) to keep injection volumes practical. Our reconstitution calculator above lets you experiment with different volumes instantly.

A standard U-100 insulin syringe has 100 unit markings that correspond to 1 mL total volume. Each unit equals 0.01 mL. So if the calculator says to draw 0.25 mL per dose, you would draw to the 25-unit mark on your syringe. Common syringes come in 0.3 mL (30 units), 0.5 mL (50 units), and 1 mL (100 units) sizes. Choose the smallest syringe that accommodates your dose volume for the greatest accuracy.

Sterile water for injection is safe for single-use reconstitution but contains no preservative. Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which inhibits bacterial growth and allows the reconstituted peptide to be stored and drawn from multiple times over days or weeks. If you use sterile water, the vial should ideally be used within 24 hours and kept refrigerated. For multi-dose vials, bacteriostatic water is strongly recommended.

When mixed with bacteriostatic water and stored refrigerated (36–46 °F / 2–8 °C), most reconstituted peptides remain stable for approximately 28–30 days. Some peptides may degrade faster depending on their chemical structure. Never freeze reconstituted peptide, keep it away from light, and discard any solution that appears cloudy, discolored, or has visible particles.

No. The total amount of peptide in the vial stays the same regardless of how much water you add. Adding more water dilutes the concentration, so you need a larger volume per injection to get the same microgram dose. Adding less water concentrates it, so you need a smaller volume. The calculator handles this math for you—just enter your vial size, water volume, and desired dose to see exactly how much to draw.

Insulin syringes (U-100) are the standard for subcutaneous peptide injections. They come in three sizes: 0.3 mL (30 units), 0.5 mL (50 units), and 1 mL (100 units). For most peptide doses, a 0.5 mL or 1 mL syringe with a 29–31 gauge, ½-inch needle works well. Choose the smallest syringe that fits your dose volume for the best accuracy and easiest reading.

Store reconstituted peptides in the refrigerator at 36–46 °F (2–8 °C). Keep the vial upright, protect it from light, and never freeze it. Unreconstituted (lyophilized) peptides can often be stored at room temperature or frozen for long-term storage, depending on the manufacturer's guidance. Always check the specific peptide's storage recommendations.

No. This calculator is an educational tool designed for research purposes only. It performs unit-conversion mathematics to help you understand reconstitution concentrations and dosing volumes. It does not provide medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment recommendations. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any peptide or research compound.

If the peptide powder doesn't dissolve after adding bacteriostatic water, gently swirl the vial—never shake vigorously, as this can damage delicate peptide bonds. Allow it to sit refrigerated for a few minutes and try swirling again. Most research-grade peptides dissolve within 1–3 minutes of gentle swirling. If the powder still won't dissolve after several attempts, the peptide may be degraded or of low quality.

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