96 Well Plate Templates [PDF, Excel, Google Sheets]

Struggling to keep your lab data organized and experiments documented? When working with 96-well plates, manually recording results can be time-consuming and prone to errors, leading to inconsistent data and wasted efforts. This lack of structure can complicate analysis and make it difficult to share your findings effectively. 

But there’s a solution—our free 96-well plate templates in PDF, Excel, and Google Sheets formats. These pre-designed templates simplify the entire process, saving you time and ensuring your data is always accurate and easy to interpret. 

In this article, we’ll discuss each 96-well plate template in detail and show you how to use them effectively. We’ve also provided additional templates for other well plate configurations, including 6-well, 12-well, 48-well, and 384-well plates.

What Is a 96-Well Plate?

A 96-well plate, also known as a microplate or multiwell plate, is a flat plate with multiple “wells” used as small test tubes. It is commonly used in analytical research and clinical diagnostic testing laboratories. Each well can hold a small amount of liquid, and the plate can be used for parallel testing of multiple samples, reactions, or experiments. 

The 96-well plate is configured in an 8-row by 12-column grid, making it ideal for high-throughput screenings and various types of assays, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), PCR, and cell cultures.

Why Use a 96-Well Plate Template?

Using a 96-well plate template can help you:

1. Organize Data Efficiently: It allows for easy identification of samples and consistent data recording.
2. Enhance Experiment Repeatability: Templates ensure that your experiments are documented in a standard format, reducing the chances of errors or inconsistencies.
3. Save Time: Pre-made templates eliminate the need for manual design, enabling researchers to focus on their experiments.
4. Improve Visual Representation: With a structured template, visualizing and presenting experimental data becomes straightforward, whether you’re analyzing trends or presenting findings.

Free 96-Well Plate Templates: What’s Included?

We’ve curated a set of free 96-well plate templates that are available in three different formats: PDF, Excel, and Google Sheets. The templates are designed to cater to a variety of needs, whether you prefer to print them out for handwritten entries or utilize them digitally for easy editing and sharing.

Let’s explore each of these templates in more detail:

1. 96-Well Plate Templates in PDF Format

The PDF templates are perfect for researchers who prefer to print out their templates and manually record data. Each PDF template has been designed with clear labels, organized grids, and enough space to jot down necessary information. 

You can download, print, and use these templates directly for tracking your experimental results.

• Template 1: Basic Grid Layout
  This basic 96-well plate template is designed with a clear grid structure. Rows are labeled from A to H, and columns are numbered from 1 to 12, making it easy to locate and mark each well.
• Template 2: Advanced Marking Points
  This PDF template includes marking points and additional visual aids to help you categorize samples more effectively. It is ideal for researchers who need a structured and labeled template for assays or screenings.
• Template 3: Experimental Notes Section
  This template has a dedicated space for recording experimental notes. In addition to the standard 96-well grid, it allows researchers to add information such as experiment name, date, and other relevant details.
• Template 4: Experimental Setup with Metadata
  The final PDF template includes additional fields for metadata, such as the scientist’s name, experiment number, and sample types. This template is excellent for professional documentation and sharing your findings in a concise, organized manner.

How to Use PDF Templates

1. Download the template that best fits your needs.
2. Print out the template using a standard printer.
3. Use a pen or marker to fill in each well with the appropriate sample identifier, concentration, or treatment details.
4. Scan or store the completed template for documentation purposes.

Download

Download

Download

Download

2. 96-Well Plate Template in Excel and Google Sheets Format

We offer one Excel template designed to provide greater flexibility for data analysis, manipulation, and sharing. This template is also available in Google Sheets, making it accessible for cloud-based collaboration and editing. 

This template mirrors the layout of a standard 96-well plate, with rows labeled A to H and columns labeled 1 to 12. It allows you to enter data directly into each cell and color-code your entries for easy identification. 

Additionally, the template can be customized with formulas to calculate averages, standard deviations, or other relevant metrics.

How to Use the Excel and Google Sheets Template

1. Download the Excel template that meets your research needs, or open the Google Sheets version for cloud-based use.
2. For Excel, open the template using Microsoft Excel or a compatible spreadsheet software.
3. For Google Sheets, open the template using your Google account.
4. Enter the relevant data into each well.
5. Use the built-in formulas to analyze or process the data as needed.
6. Save and share the completed template with colleagues or for future reference.

Download

Download

Additional Well Plate Templates in PDF Format

In addition to the 96-well plate templates, we offer other well plate templates in PDF format to suit a variety of experimental needs. Each template is designed with the same level of clarity and usability as our 96-well plate templates.

6-Well Plate Template

6-Well Plates are ideal for small-scale experiments that require more substantial individual wells. These are often used in cell culture studies where you need more space per well, as each well can accommodate larger volumes compared to high-density plates.

The 6-well template we offer is divided into 2 rows and 3 columns. With large, spacious circles representing each well, you can easily mark them with numbers or labels to keep track of your samples.

Best Uses:

• Cell culture experiments
• Assays requiring larger volumes
• Small-scale drug testing

Download

Download

12-Well Plate Template

A 12-Well Plate offers a bit more capacity without overwhelming the researcher with too many samples to track at once. This plate is often used in medium-scale biological experiments where you want a balance between the number of samples and the space per well.

Our 12-well plate template consists of 3 rows and 4 columns, giving a structured and organized visual map for easy labeling.

Best Uses:

• Toxicology studies
• Medium-scale cell cultures
• Compound testing in smaller batches

Download

Download

24-Well Plate Template

The 24-Well Plate is commonly used for moderate-throughput screening and other biological assays. With 4 rows and 6 columns, this template allows for a more extensive array of experiments while maintaining enough space to work comfortably with each well.

Our downloadable 24-well template provides ample room for documentation, enabling you to neatly label and mark the well contents.

Best Uses:

• Compound screening
• Moderate-throughput testing
• Cytotoxicity assays

Download

Download

48-Well Plate Template

When you need more throughput without sacrificing too much well size, the 48-Well Plate is the perfect middle-ground solution. This plate features smaller wells compared to a 24-well plate but offers double the number of wells, allowing for more samples in the same amount of space.

Our template, divided into 6 rows and 8 columns, is perfect for researchers who need to handle more samples while still maintaining clarity and organization in their experiments.

Best Uses:

• Dose-response studies
• More extensive compound testing
• High-throughput screening in biological assays

Download

Download

384-Well Plate Template

The 384-Well Plate is designed for ultra-high-throughput screening. This plate consists of 16 rows and 24 columns, offering an enormous number of wells in a single compact area. Because of the high number of wells, it is especially useful in settings where reagent conservation and high sample numbers are priorities.

Our downloadable 384-well plate template provides a clear visual representation of this complex plate layout, helping you stay organized even in large-scale experiments.

Best Uses:

• Ultra-high-throughput drug discovery
• Genomic screening
• Combinatorial chemistry

Download

Download

Best Practices for Using 96-Well Plate Templates

Whether you’re working with PDF, Excel, or Google Sheets templates, there are a few best practices you should keep in mind:

Standardize Your Documentation

Always use the same template for similar experiments to maintain consistency across multiple trials or studies.

Color Code for Easy Identification

Use different colors to represent various sample types or experimental conditions. This will make your template easier to interpret at a glance.

Save Multiple Versions

When working with Excel or Google Sheets templates, always save multiple versions of your file. This helps to ensure that you have a backup in case of data loss or corruption.

Incorporate Metadata

Include information such as experiment name, date, scientist’s name, and other metadata in the template itself. This will make it easier to track and retrieve specific experiments.

Conclusion

Organizing your 96-well plate data doesn’t have to be a complex or time-consuming task. With our free, downloadable templates in PDF, Excel, and Google Sheets formats, you can streamline your research, maintain data integrity, and present your findings with professional-grade documentation. 

Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or a student just starting in the lab, these templates will support your work in achieving reliable and repeatable results.