What is GHK-Cu (copper peptide)?
If you searched for GHK-Cu dosage, this page covers the math side of that question: how much BAC water goes into a GHK-Cu vial, what concentration that creates, and how an amount you already have translates into units on a U-100 syringe. It does not tell you what amount to use.
GHK-Cu is a copper complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (GHK). The GHK sequence was first described in human plasma in the 1970s, and its copper-bound form is widely known as copper peptide; cosmetic ingredient lists usually call it copper tripeptide-1. That skincare association is why it is sometimes nicknamed the “glow peptide.” Research vials are sold as a freeze-dried powder, most often in 50 mg and 100 mg sizes, and both the powder and the mixed solution are typically blue because of the bound copper.
GHK-Cu is not the same compound as AHK-Cu, a related copper tripeptide in which alanine replaces glycine. The two are sold in similar vial sizes, so check the label before entering anything into the calculator.
How much BAC water for a GHK-Cu vial?
There is no single correct volume. The water you add only sets the concentration: less water makes a stronger solution, and more water makes a weaker one that spreads the same amount across more syringe units. Because a GHK-Cu vial holds far more powder than most peptide vials, the micrograms per unit run high, and a larger water volume keeps small amounts readable on the syringe scale. The chart below shows micrograms per U-100 unit for the two common vial sizes.
| BAC water | 50 mg vial | 100 mg vial |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mL | 250 mcg/unit 25 mg/mL | 500 mcg/unit 50 mg/mL |
| 3 mL | 166.67 mcg/unit 16.667 mg/mL | 333.33 mcg/unit 33.333 mg/mL |
| 4 mL | 125 mcg/unit 12.5 mg/mL | 250 mcg/unit 25 mg/mL |
| 5 mL | 100 mcg/unit 10 mg/mL | 200 mcg/unit 20 mg/mL |
Each cell shows mcg per unit on a U-100 syringe (100 units = 1 mL) and the resulting concentration.
Read across a row to compare the 50 mg and 100 mg vials at the same water volume, or down a column to see how adding more water lowers the concentration. Whatever volume you choose also has to fit inside the vial. For the general method behind this table, see the BAC water to peptide ratio guide.
GHK-Cu 100 mg reconstitution and 50 mg worked examples
The syringe-units math has three steps: vial mg ÷ water mL gives mg per mL; the amount you already have ÷ that concentration gives mL; and mL × 100 gives units on a U-100 syringe. Here it is for a 50 mg vial. For example, if the amount you already have is 1.2 mg:
The math: 50 mg ÷ 5 mL = 10 mg/mL (10,000 mcg/mL), which is 100 mcg per unit. 1.2 mg ÷ 10,000 mcg/mL = 0.12 mL = 12 units on a U-100 syringe.
Now GHK-Cu 100 mg reconstitution with the same water volume. For example, if the amount you already have is the same quantity written as 1,200 mcg:
The math: 100 mg ÷ 5 mL = 20 mg/mL (20,000 mcg/mL), which is 200 mcg per unit. 1,200 mcg ÷ 20,000 mcg/mL = 0.06 mL = 6 units on a U-100 syringe.
Same amount, twice the powder, same water: the concentration doubles, so the liquid volume and the number of units are cut in half. Entering mg or mcg gives the same answer as long as the unit matches the number, because 1 mg = 1,000 mcg. The mg to mcg conversion guide covers that step in detail.
GHK-Cu dosage chart and calculator: what the numbers mean
Searches for a GHK-Cu dosage chart, a GHKCu 100 mg dosage, or a GHK-Cu dosage guide usually come from someone holding a vial and a number and wanting to know where that number lands on a syringe. That is what the GHK-Cu calculator on this page does, and all it does. You enter the vial size, the water volume, and an amount you already have; it returns the concentration, the liquid volume, and the U-100 syringe units.
The GHK-Cu dosage chart above is a unit-conversion table, not a dosing table. No row or column is a recommendation, and nothing here sets a GHK-Cu dosage, schedule, or route. Those decisions belong to the product labeling and a qualified professional. If you want to confirm the calculator by hand, the step-by-step math check walks through the same formula with worked numbers.
GHK-Cu reconstitution notes from suppliers
GHKCu reconstitution follows the same basic pattern as other freeze-dried peptides, but a few points come up often in supplier material for a GHK-Cu vial:
- Color. Some suppliers note that dissolved GHK-Cu is blue because of the copper. Cloudiness, particles, or an unexpected color is a reason to contact the supplier before going further.
- Large powder mass. A 100 mg vial holds a lot of powder, and some suppliers specify a minimum water volume so that it dissolves fully.
- Solvent. GHK-Cu vials are commonly listed for bacteriostatic water. If a label names a different solvent, the label takes priority.
- Storage. Some suppliers specify refrigeration and protection from light after mixing. The punctured BAC water vial follows its own label and the common 28-day guidance for opened multi-dose vials.
For the general sequence of steps, read how to reconstitute peptides. Handling and sterility should follow the product labeling and a qualified professional.
Is GHK-Cu FDA-approved?
GHK-Cu is not an FDA-approved drug. It appears widely as an ingredient in topical cosmetic products, but the injectable-style vials sold online are labeled for research use only and are not approved medicines. Their identity, purity, and sterility depend entirely on the supplier, and a correct calculation cannot confirm any of those things.
GHK-Cu FAQ
How much BAC water do you add to a 100 mg GHK-Cu vial?
There is no single correct volume. The water only sets the concentration: less water gives more micrograms per syringe unit, more water gives fewer. Some suppliers specify a minimum volume for large vials, and any volume on the product label takes priority over a general chart.
Does this page give a GHK-Cu dosage?
No. The calculator converts an amount you already have into concentration, mL, and U-100 syringe units. It does not recommend an amount, a schedule, or a route. Those belong to the product labeling and a qualified professional.
Why is GHK-Cu blue?
GHK-Cu is a copper complex, and the bound copper gives the powder and the mixed solution a blue color. Cloudiness, particles, or an unexpected color are reasons to contact the supplier.
What is the difference between GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu?
Both are copper tripeptides. GHK-Cu is built on glycine, histidine, and lysine, while AHK-Cu has alanine in place of glycine. They are different compounds, so use the calculator page that matches the name on your vial.
Why is GHK-Cu called the glow peptide?
It is an informal nickname that comes from GHK-Cu's long use as a copper peptide ingredient in skincare products. The nickname is not a product name, so always go by the compound and mg printed on the label.
Does it matter if I enter mg or mcg?
No, as long as the unit matches the number. One mg equals 1,000 mcg, so 1.2 mg and 1,200 mcg give the same syringe units.