How to Make 1-Molar Hydrochloric Solution

Decide how much 1 M hydrochloric acid solution you want to prepare. For example, you may want to prepare 300 milliliters (ml) of 1 M hydrochloric acid solution.

Find the product of the molarity of the solution you want to prepare and the volume of the solution in milliliters, using a calculator. For example, you may want to prepare 300 ml of a 1 M hydrochloric acid solution: 300 x 1 = 300.

Find the quotient of your answer and the molarity of the concentrated hydrochloric acid solution you are using to prepare your 1 M hydrochloric acid solution. For example, let's say you are using 12 M hydrochloric acid solution: 300/12 = 25. Your 1 M hydrochloric acid solution will require 25 ml of 12 M hydrochloric acid solution.

Obtain a graduated cylinder large enough to hold the final volume of the solution you are preparing. For example, use a 500-ml graduated cylinder to hold the 300 ml of 1 M hydrochloric acid solution.

Add the calculated amount of concentrated hydrochloric acid solution to your graduated cylinder. Continuing the previous examples, add 25 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid solution to the 500-ml graduated cylinder.

Add water to the mark on the graduated cylinder indicating the final volume of the 1 M hydrochloric acid solution. Identify the solution level by noting that the top of the liquid in the cylinder forms a curve, or meniscus. Use the bottom of this meniscus as the solution level. Therefore, add water to the graduated cylinder until the bottom of the solution's meniscus is even with the 300-ml mark on the side of the graduated cylinder.