FAQ: How many dilutions should I use to make a standard curve?

Typical qPCR experiments include standards spanning 5 orders of magnitude (five 10-fold serial dilutions) to generate a standard curve. Choose a lowest standard amount that will represent approximately one copy of target when maximum sensitivity is desired. The number of points on the standard curve can be increased or decreased as desired, and as few as three points can be used when the target, assay, and sample are well characterized.