How to use: in Step 1 pick your basal media and toggle the supplements in your formulation. In Step 2 set your batch volume, process mode and run schedule. Then read cost per batch, per liter and yearly forecasts in Step 3 on the right. For downstream buffer costing, see the Buffer Calculator.
1Basal Media
Media Type
Cost ($/L)?
Volume Needed (L)
Typical range: $30 - $80/L
Supplements ?
Supplement cost/L:$0.00
2Batch Production
Batch Volume (L)
Batches / Year
Process Mode
Feed Volume (% of batch)?
Feed Media Cost ($/L)
VVD ?
Working Vol (L)
Run Duration (days)
Media Volume Planner
Number of Bioreactors
Volume Each (L)
Run Duration (days)
Turnaround (days)
3Results & Cost Analysis
$0
per batch
Total media + supplements + feeds
$0 / year
$0
Cost per Liter
$0
Basal Media Cost
$0
Supplements Cost
$0
Feed Cost
Cost Breakdown
Compare Up to 4 Media Types
Serum vs Serum-Free Comparison
FBS Cost ($/L)
FBS Concentration (%)
Classical Base Cost ($/L)
CD Media Cost ($/L)
Break-Even Analysis
Hidden Costs of FBS
Lot testing & qualification: $2,000 - $5,000 per lot
Lot-to-lot variability: risk of failed batches
Supply chain risk: global shortages and price spikes
Cell culture media costs vary widely. Classical media like DMEM or RPMI cost $5–15/L, while chemically defined media for CHO cells (CD-CHO, BalanCD) range from $30–100/L. Microbial media like LB or TB cost $1–5/L.
Is serum-free media cheaper than serum-containing media?
Serum-free chemically defined media has a higher base cost ($30–100/L) but eliminates FBS ($200–800/L at 5–10% supplementation). At production scale, serum-free is usually cheaper and avoids lot-to-lot variability and regulatory concerns.
How do I calculate media cost for a fed-batch process?
For fed-batch, add the initial batch media volume plus feed media volume (typically 30–50% of batch volume). Multiply each by their respective cost per liter. Include supplements for the initial charge.
What supplements are essential for CHO cell culture?
Essential CHO supplements include L-glutamine or GlutaMAX (2–4 mM), anti-foam agent like Pluronic F-68 (0.1%), and sometimes insulin and transferrin. Chemically defined media often include these in the formulation.
How much media does a perfusion bioreactor consume?
Perfusion media consumption depends on vessel volume displacement per day (VVD), typically 1–2 VVD. A 500L reactor at 1.5 VVD consumes 750 L/day. Over a 30-day run, that is 22,500 L of media.
What are hidden costs of using FBS in cell culture?
Hidden FBS costs include lot testing and qualification ($2,000–5,000 per lot), supply chain risk (global shortages), regulatory documentation burden, and potential lot-to-lot variability causing failed batches.