How to use the peptide calculator

What this calculator does (and what it does not)

• It does: convert peptide dose (mcg/mg) into mL / syringe units based on your vial amount and dilution.
• It does not: pick a protocol, decide a dose, or guarantee outcomes.

Before you calculate (pre-flight checklist)

• Confirm the vial amount (e.g. 5 mg, 10 mg) from the label.
• Confirm how much bacteriostatic water you added (e.g. 1 mL, 2 mL).
• Know your target dose in mcg (most peptide protocols are expressed in mcg).
• Pick the syringe scale you’re actually using (typically 1 mL insulin syringe = 100 units).

If you haven’t mixed yet, start here: Peptide reconstitution basics.

The core logic (so the numbers make sense)

Your dilution creates a concentration. The calculator uses that concentration to convert a target dose into a draw volume.

• Concentration: vial amount ÷ added water (e.g. 10 mg ÷ 2 mL = 5 mg/mL)
• Target dose: the amount you want per injection (often mcg)
• Draw volume: target dose ÷ concentration (converted into mL + syringe units)

Step-by-step: how to enter the inputs

1) Enter vial amount (mg)

• Use the number printed on the vial (commonly 5 mg or 10 mg).
• If the vial label is unclear, stop. Guessing here makes every dose wrong.

2) Enter added water (mL)

• Enter the exact volume of bacteriostatic water added to the vial.
• If you changed dilution mid-vial, you must recalculate. (Better: don’t do that.)

3) Enter your target dose (mcg or mg)

• If your protocol is in mcg, enter mcg.
• If your protocol is in mg, enter mg.
• Do not mix them. 1 mg = 1000 mcg.

4) Choose syringe type / scale

• Most insulin syringes: 1 mL = 100 units.
• Your “units” output is only correct if the syringe scale matches your syringe.

How to read the outputs

• mL to draw = the true liquid volume you need.
• Syringe units = that mL translated onto your syringe markings.
• Concentration = what your dilution produced (useful for sanity checks).

Common mistakes that waste vials

• mg vs mcg confusion (the #1 error)
• Entering the wrong water volume (guessing or rounding)
• Using sterile water instead of bacteriostatic water (shorter usable life, higher risk)
• Poor storage (heat/light/handling degrade potency)
• Changing dilution mid-vial without recalculating

Storage matters more than people admit: Peptide storage & handling

Execution: reduce errors when drawing

• Swab the vial top every time and let it dry.
• Draw slowly and avoid pushing air back into the vial aggressively.
• Use a consistent routine to avoid “misread the syringe” mistakes.

If you want the injection fundamentals: Injection technique & safety overview

Where to go next

• Use the peptide calculator (top “How to use this” link should point here)
• Peptides category overview
• Peptide reconstitution basics
• Peptide storage & handling

Common questions

Can I “choose a dilution” based on what looks easiest on the syringe?

Yes, as long as it’s measured accurately and you stick to it. People get in trouble when they pick a dilution, then guess the mL, or “top it up later” and forget they changed concentration.

Why do people say peptides “stopped working”?

Usually one of these: dilution math error, mg/mcg mistake, degraded peptide from storage/handling, or inconsistent execution. Start by verifying inputs and storage before blaming the compound.

Should I recalc every injection?

Not if your dilution and dose stay the same. Lock your setup, record the syringe units, then execute consistently.

Key takeaways

• Correct dilution is the foundation. Everything else depends on it.
• Most peptide errors are unit errors (mg vs mcg) or wrong water volume.
• Match the calculator to your syringe scale or the “units” output is meaningless.
• Storage and handling can quietly destroy potency even if the liquid looks normal.