Mr Calcu | Quickly reveal the true age of organic samples—perfect for researchers, students, and history buffs.

Discover ancient timelines and unlock hidden histories. Instantly calculate radiocarbon ages with precision using our carbon dating tool.

Calculate Radiocarbon Age

¹⁴C/¹²C Ratio

δ¹³C (‰)

Carbon Dating Age Calculator Guidelines

You’re just a few steps from your radiocarbon result!

Enter the measured ¹⁴C/¹²C ratio of your organic sample.
Normalize your input values using standard references (e.g., Oxalic Acid I or II).
Apply δ¹³C correction for isotopic fractionation; assume δ¹³C = -25‰ if unknown.
The calculator outputs uncalibrated age in years Before Present (BP), where 'Present' = 1950 AD.
For accurate results, use calibration datasets like IntCal to convert to actual calendar years.
Adjust for marine reservoir effects or post-bomb carbon anomalies as needed.

Carbon Dating Age Calculator Description

What Is Radiocarbon Dating?

Radiocarbon dating is a method used to estimate the age of organic materials by measuring the content of carbon-14 (¹⁴C), a radioactive isotope. This technique is effective for dating items up to about 50,000 years old.

How It Works

Carbon-14 Formation: ¹⁴C is formed in the atmosphere through cosmic ray interactions and incorporated into living organisms.
Decay Process: Once an organism dies, it stops absorbing carbon, and ¹⁴C begins to decay at a known rate.
Half-Life: The half-life of ¹⁴C is approximately 5,730 years.

Decay Formula

t = -8033 × ln(N_t / N_0)

Where:
t = age in years BP (Before Present)
N_t = ¹⁴C content in the sample
N_0 = ¹⁴C content in the modern atmosphere

Pro Tip: Use δ¹³C values to correct isotopic fractionation and improve accuracy.

Edge Cases to Consider

Reservoir Effect: Marine samples appear older due to dissolved "old" carbon. Corrections are required.
Isotopic Fractionation: Use δ¹³C normalization to account for biological effects on carbon isotope ratios.
Post-1950 Samples: Nuclear bomb testing caused spikes in atmospheric ¹⁴C. Adjustments are necessary for samples from this era.
Contamination: External carbon can skew results. Pretreatment helps remove contaminants.
Low Carbon Content: Very old or small samples may yield unreliable data due to minimal ¹⁴C content.

Real-World Applications

Case Study 1: Shroud of Turin

In 1988, radiocarbon dating suggested the fabric originated between 1260–1390 AD. Despite controversies, it showcases the method’s application in verifying artifact authenticity.

Case Study 2: Lascaux Cave

Charcoal from nearby fire pits was dated to ~17,000 BP, confirming human occupation during the Upper Paleolithic period.

Start your analysis now—gain clear, reliable results in seconds with our easy-to-use carbon dating calculator!

Example Calculation

Sample Type	¹⁴C/¹²C Ratio	Measured Age (BP)	Calibrated Calendar Age
Fresh wood	1.2	0	Modern
Ancient bone	0.5	5730	~4700 BCE
Charcoal (marine)	0.35	8700	Requires reservoir correction
Peat sample	0.75	3000	~1050 BCE
Post-bomb tree ring	1.6	-400	1965 CE

Frequently Asked Questions

A method to determine the age of organic materials by measuring ¹⁴C content.

Accuracy depends on sample quality, calibration, and proper correction for environmental factors.

Because radiocarbon levels were relatively stable before nuclear testing began around that year, making it a standard reference point.

No. Radiocarbon dating only applies to organic materials that originally contained carbon from the atmosphere or biosphere.

About 50,000 to 60,000 years. Beyond that, the remaining ¹⁴C is too minimal to detect accurately.

Different processes affect carbon isotope ratios. Corrections standardize results as if δ¹³C = -25‰, improving comparability.

Use calibration curves such as IntCal20 to match uncalibrated BP dates to actual calendar years.

Mr Calcu | Quickly reveal the true age of organic samples—perfect for researchers, students, and history buffs.

Calculate Radiocarbon Age

Carbon Dating Age Calculator Guidelines

You’re just a few steps from your radiocarbon result!

Carbon Dating Age Calculator Description

What Is Radiocarbon Dating?

How It Works

Decay Formula

Edge Cases to Consider

Real-World Applications

Case Study 1: Shroud of Turin

Case Study 2: Lascaux Cave

Example Calculation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is radiocarbon dating?

How accurate is radiocarbon dating?

Why is 'present' defined as 1950?

Can inorganic materials be dated using this method?

What is the maximum effective range of radiocarbon dating?

What is isotopic fractionation and why correct for it?

How do I convert radiocarbon years to calendar years?

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