96 well plate map template

How to use the map

The map file is a grid, rows A to H and columns 1 to 12, with header fields for plate ID, date, operator, and assay. Type a sample ID or code into each well cell. Reserve fixed positions for blanks, standards, and controls, and mark them first; consistency across runs matters more than the specific layout. The sample list file is the long form: one row per well (A1 through H12) for sample ID, contents, concentration, volume, and notes, which pastes cleanly into a LIMS or an analysis script.

Layout tips that prevent reruns

Watch the edges: outer wells evaporate faster in long incubations, so put controls inside or accept an edge effect knowingly. Run replicates in different plate regions, not adjacent wells, so a local problem cannot fake a result. If the plate feeds a reader or an extraction instrument, map in the order the instrument reads, column by column, so the file the instrument exports lines up with the map without transposing.

Related guides

• the 384 well plate guide: formats, a 384 vs 96 comparison, and templates
• best deep well plates by job, plus sealing and KingFisher fit guides
• the cell culture plate guide: treated vs untreated, formats, and surfaces
• the ELISA plate guide: binding surfaces, coating, and assay setup

Common questions