# Measurements explained

## Concentrations: cells/mL and total/mL

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FK1Y5leiGnnhtcTEZaONW%2Ffile.excalidraw.svg?alt=media&#x26;token=2d009dd7-c425-4163-ad7e-79be5578d048" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

BactoBox® counts and classifies individual particles in your sample vial. Gating creates two categories: *other* and *cells*. Together, *other* and *cells* give *total*. On the *Results* screen (see [user-interface](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/software/user-interface "mention")), you see *cells/mL* and *total/mL*.

We do not show *other/mL* on the *Results* screen. You find *other/mL* in *summary.csv* (see [download-your-data](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/software/file-formats/download-your-data "mention")).

{% hint style="info" %}

## Gating determines the category names

The category names (e.g., *cells* and *total*) follow the gating. In some gating settings, the category names are *intact cells*, *custom cells*, and *total particles*.
{% endhint %}

## Explore related topics

<table data-column-title-hidden data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Topic</th><th data-card-target data-type="content-ref">Link</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>What can I measure on?</strong><br><mark style="color:$info;">Sample vial requirements.</mark></td><td><a href="measurements-explained/what-can-i-measure-on">what-can-i-measure-on</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Gating</strong><br><mark style="color:$info;">What counts as a cell.</mark></td><td><a href="measurements-explained/gating">gating</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Limits of detection</strong><br><mark style="color:$info;">When counts become unreliable.</mark></td><td><a href="measurements-explained/limits-of-detection">limits-of-detection</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Linearity and correlation</strong><br><mark style="color:$info;">How counts scale with dilution and CFU.</mark></td><td><a href="measurements-explained/linearity-and-correlation">linearity-and-correlation</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


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