How to Choose a Membrane Filter
Select the Right Membrane by Material, Pore Size, and Diameter
Use this three-step guide to identify the right membrane for your application — by material, pore size, and disc diameter.
What's the nature of your solution to be filtered?
Vent for a gas stream
Air particle collection on surface
Interested in particles retained on the surface
Interested in the filtered fluid
The pore size of a filter, stated in microns (µm), is determined by the diameter of particles retained by the filter or by a bubble point test.
What size are the particles you would like to filter?
Select a pore size that retains your desired particles. Hover any card to see filtration category detail.
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0.01 µm
- Chemotaxis
- Cytology
- Separation by size
- Epifluorescence
0.01 µm
Filtration Type
Ultrafiltration
Retains very fine colloidal particles and large macromolecules.
0.03 µm
- Liposome Extrusion
- Virus Filtration
- Mycoplasma Removal
- Bacteria Removal
0.03 µm
Filtration Type
Ultrafiltration
Retains viruses and mycoplasma; used in sterile biopharmaceutical processing.
0.1 µm
- Sterilization
- Clarification
- HPLC Sample Prep
0.1 µm
Filtration Type
Microfiltration
Lower boundary of microfiltration; retains bacteria and most particles.
0.2 µm
- Prefilter
- Microbiological Analysis
- Protein & Enzyme Filtration
- Venting Application
0.2 µm
Filtration Type
Microfiltration
Most common sterilizing-grade pore size. Absolute-rated versions retain Pseudomonas diminuta.
0.4 µm
- Sterility Testing
- SEM
- Trace Metal Analysis
0.4 µm
Filtration Type
Microfiltration
Commonly used in sterility testing; retains mycoplasma and most bacteria.
0.6 µm
- Particle Analysis
- Filtration of Corrosive Solutions
0.6 µm
Filtration Type
Microfiltration
Good for corrosive liquids; retains larger bacterial cells and particles.
0.8 µm
- Removal of RBC from Plasma
- Toxicity Testing
0.8 µm
Filtration Type
Microfiltration
Allows passage of plasma while retaining red blood cells (~8 µm diameter).
1.0 µm
- Serum Prefiltration
- General Filtration
1.0 µm
Filtration Type
Microfiltration
General purpose prefiltration; removes large particulates before final filtration.
1.2 µm
- Particulate Analysis
- Medical Assays
- Immobilizations
1.2 µm
Filtration Type
Microfiltration
Used in medical diagnostics and cell immobilization assays.
2.0 µm
- Chemotaxis
- Red Blood Cells
- DNA
2.0 µm
Filtration Type
Particle Filtration
Retains most mammalian cells; allows passage of smaller particles and molecules.
5.0 µm
- NIOSH Methods
- X-ray Diffraction
- Filtration of Corrosive Solutions
5.0 µm
Filtration Type
Particle Filtration
Standard for air sampling per NIOSH. Retains large particles and yeast cells.
8.0 µm
- Cytology
8.0 µm
Filtration Type
Particle Filtration
Used in cell migration assays; allows most cells to migrate through under stimulus.
10.0 µm
- Large Bacteria Filtration
- Cancer Cell Studies
10.0 µm
Filtration Type
Particle Filtration
Used to isolate large cells; retains circulating tumor cells in cancer research.
12.0 µm
- Metastasis Tumor Cells
- Schistosoma Filtration
12.0 µm
Filtration Type
Particle Filtration
Retains large parasites and metastatic tumor cells for isolation studies.
14.0 µm
- Chemical Filtration
- Alcohol Filtration
14.0 µm
Filtration Type
Particle Filtration
Coarse filtration for chemicals and alcohols; removes visible particulates.
20.0 µm
- Chemical Filtration
- General Filtration
20.0 µm
Filtration Type
Particle Filtration
Largest standard pore size; used for coarse prefiltration of suspensions.
For a broader view of filtration ranges, consult our Filtration Spectrum resource.
Use the table below to find the recommended filter disc diameter for your sample volume. Hover a row for usage tips.
| Diameter of Membrane | Volume of Solution | Usage Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 3 mm | < 1 mL | Typically used in microanalytical or inline sensor applications |
| 13 mm | < 5 mL | Common for syringe filter housings; ideal for small sample prep |
| 17 mm | < 12 mL | Fits standard 17 mm filter holders; good for analytical samples |
| 25 mm | < 100 mL | Most popular size; fits most benchtop filter holders and syringe units |
| 30 mm | < 120 mL | Slightly larger surface area; used when flow rate is a concern |
| 47 mm | < 1 L | Standard for vacuum filtration systems; high throughput applications |
| ≥ 90 mm | > 1 L | Large-format filtration; used in bulk processing and pilot-scale work |
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