MOTS-C Dosage Calculator
Calculate MOTS-C injection volumes. Pre-filled for a 10mg vial with 2ml BAC water (5,000 mcg/ml). Typical 5mg dose = 1ml = 100 units.
MOTS-C is a mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded in the 12S rRNA gene of mitochondrial DNA. In animal studies it activates AMPK and has been linked to improved insulin sensitivity and enhanced exercise-induced fat oxidation; human evidence is limited. Research doses are substantially higher than most peptides — 5–10mg per injection.
For a 10mg MOTS-C vial: add 2ml of bacteriostatic water → concentration is exactly 5000 mcg/ml. A commonly referenced 5000mcg (5mg) research dose = 1.00ml (100 units) on a 100-unit syringe.
Dose Reference Table
Pre-calculated for a 10mg vial + 2ml BAC water = 5,000 mcg/ml concentration. Using a 100-unit (1ml) insulin syringe.
| Dose | Inject Volume (ml) | Syringe Units |
|---|---|---|
| 1000mcg (1mg) | 0.200 ml | 20 units |
| 2500mcg (2.5mg) | 0.500 ml | 50 units |
| 5000mcg (5mg) | 1.000 ml | 100 units |
| 7500mcg (7.5mg) | 1.500 ml | 150 units |
| 10000mcg (10mg) | 2.000 ml | 200 units |
About MOTS-C
MOTS-C (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA type-c) is a recently discovered mitochondria-derived peptide (MDP) encoded in the mitochondrial genome. It was first characterized in 2015 by researchers at the University of Southern California. MOTS-C represents a new class of peptide signals that coordinate nuclear gene expression from within the mitochondria.
Research on MOTS-C has explored its role in metabolic regulation, insulin sensitivity, exercise performance, and aging. It appears to work by translocating from mitochondria to the cell nucleus, where it regulates genes involved in metabolism, antioxidant defense, and stress response. Studies in animal models have shown improvements in insulin sensitivity, reductions in diet-induced obesity, and enhanced endurance exercise performance.
MOTS-C is typically supplied in 10mg vials. Using 2ml of bacteriostatic water yields 5,000 mcg/ml. Research doses have ranged from 1mg to 10mg per injection. Given the novelty of this peptide, optimal dosing protocols are still being established in the research literature — and MOTS-C is not FDA-approved, with human evidence remaining limited.
How this calculator works
Every result comes from the same three formulas used for any lyophilized peptide: concentration (mcg/ml) = vial mg × 1,000 ÷ BAC water ml; injection volume (ml) = desired dose mcg ÷ concentration; syringe units = injection volume ml × 100 on a U-100 syringe.
For the preset MOTS-C setup on this page: a 10mg vial mixed with 2ml of bacteriostatic water gives a concentration of 5,000 mcg/ml. A 5,000mcg dose then needs 1.00ml, which is 100 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe.
The full methodology, with worked examples and the assumptions behind each formula, is on the methodology page.
Accuracy & limitations
The arithmetic itself is exact — the same inputs always produce the same output. Real-world accuracy depends on things outside the calculator: actual vial contents can vary slightly from the labeled amount within manufacturing tolerance, the BAC water volume should be measured carefully, and syringe readings are taken at the bottom edge of the plunger. Reconstituted peptides also degrade over time (the common guidance is to use within about 28 days refrigerated), which the math does not model. This tool does arithmetic only — it does not recommend doses, and it is not medical advice.
Last reviewed: September 2026 · Content, formulas and sources checked by Kanika