Culture Collections

Cell counting using a Haemocytometer

One of the most common reasons for the failure to establish cells in culture is due to using an incorrect viable cell seeding density at the time of resuscitation i.e. seeding cells too low or too high. This can be avoided by performing a viable cell count and following the recommended seeding density.  

Equipment & Reagents

- Haemocytometer plus a supply of cover-slips
- 0.4% Trypan Blue stain (fresh & filtered) in phosphate buffered saline
- Tally Counter
- Cell Suspension
- Gilson pipettes or similar
- Inverted microscope (preferably phase contrast)

1. Ensure the cover-slip and haemocytometer are clean and grease-free (use alcohol to clean).

2. Moisten (with water or exhaled breath) and affix cover-slip to the haemocytometer.

3. Look for "Newton's Rings" which indicate that the cover slip has adhered via suction to the haemocytometer. Newton's refraction rings are seen as rainbow-like rings under the cover-slip.

4. Mix equal volumes of 0.4% trypan blue stain and a well mixed cell suspension (not too vigorous) e.g. mix 100µl trypan blue stain with 100 µl cell suspension.

5. Pipette trypan blue/cell mix (approximately 10µl) at the edge of the cover-slip and allow to run under the cover slip.

6. Visualise the haemocytometer grid under the microscope, refer to figure 1 for layout of grid. Please note:

i. Trypan Blue is a "vital stain"; it is excluded from live cells.
ii. Live cells appear colourless and bright (refractile) under phase contrast.
iii. Dead cells stain blue and are non-refractile.
iv. To aid accuracy and consistency of cell counts use counting system illustrated in figure 2.

7. Count viable (live) and dead cells in one or more large corner squares and record cell counts.

8. It is advisable to count around 40 to 70 cells to obtain an accurate cell count - therefore it may be necessary to count more than one large corner square.

9. To calculate cell concentration per ml:

Average number of cells in one large square x dilution factor* x 104
*dilution factor is usually 2 (1:1 dilution with trypan blue), but may need to further dilute (or concentrate) cell suspensions.

104 = conversion factor to convert 10-4ml to 1ml (refer to figure 3 to view a diagram of the arrangement and dimensions)

Calculation of Cell Viability:

No. of Viable Cells Counted / Total Cells Counted (viable and dead) x 100 = % viable cells


Cell Counting Calculator (opens in new window)


Haemocytometer grid
Figure 1. Appearance of the haemocytometer grid visualised under the microscope.


Cell Count Diagram
Figure 2. Counting system to ensure accuracy and consistency. Count the cells within the large square and those crossing the edge on two out of the four sides.


Haemocytometer Dimensions
Haemocytometer formula

Figure 3. Haemocytometer arrangement and dimensions.

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