Deep Multi Well Plates

Quick Answer: Deep Multi Well Plates are plastic plates with a standard microplate footprint but tall, deep wells that hold far more liquid per well than an ordinary microplate. Deep multi well plates are used to store samples and reagents, grow many small bacterial cultures in parallel, and prepare samples for extraction and screening.

Standard Footprint, Deeper Wells

Deep-well plates keep the same outer footprint as ordinary 96-well microplates, so they fit plate racks, sealers, centrifuge plate carriers and multichannel pipetting layouts, but their wells extend much further down. A 96 deep-well plate commonly holds about 1 to 2 ml per well, and 24-well deep plates around 10 ml, compared with a few hundred microlitres in a standard plate. The volume of this listing is not stated in the title.

Most deep-well plates are polypropylene, chosen because it resists the solvents, detergents and alkaline buffers used in extraction and can generally be autoclaved. Wells may be square, which maximises volume and helps liquid mix during shaking, or round, which suits sealing mats with round plugs. Bottom shapes vary as well: V-shaped or round bottoms help recover the last few microlitres, flat bottoms suit culture.

Deep plates are closed with adhesive films, heat seals or silicone sealing mats, and a breathable film is used when bacteria are cultured so air can reach the wells during shaking. They are not intended for optical reading. For cell culture and microscopy, the Culture Plate with Cover is used instead, and for immunoassays, the ELISA Plates.

Applications

• Growing many small bacterial cultures in parallel for plasmid minipreps
• Storing compound libraries, primers or sample aliquots in a freezer
• Nucleic acid extraction and sample preparation with multichannel pipettes
• Collecting fractions or filtrates in a layout that matches 96-well analysis plates

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Seal plates before shaking or freezing, and use a breathable seal for live cultures
• Balance plates by weight when spinning them in a plate centrifuge
• Label plates on the side, since the top is covered by the seal
• If reusing, wash thoroughly and autoclave only if the plate is rated for it

Why Choose LabEquip

Molecular biology, genomics and microbiology labs, and testing labs that process many samples at once with multichannel pipettes, are the regular buyers of deep-well plates. LabEquip supplies them in Biology Lab Products; share the well count and volume you need through our contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a deep well plate and a standard microplate?

Both share the same outer footprint, but deep well plates have much taller wells that hold millilitre volumes. Standard microplates hold a few hundred microlitres and are used for optical reading.

Can bacteria be grown in deep multi well plates?

Yes. Deep-well plates are widely used for overnight cultures ahead of plasmid preparation. Cover the plate with a breathable seal and shake it vigorously so the cultures get enough oxygen.

How are deep well plates sealed?

Use adhesive or heat-sealed films for storage, silicone sealing mats that can be pierced or lifted for repeated access, or breathable films for live cultures. The seal should match the well shape and your storage temperature.

Can deep well plates be centrifuged?

Yes, in a centrifuge fitted with plate carriers. Balance the plates by weight and stay within the plate’s rated speed, since tall filled plates are heavy.

Why are square wells used?

Square wells hold more volume in the same footprint, and their corners break up swirling liquid, which improves mixing and aeration during shaking.

Are the plates suitable for freezing samples?

Polypropylene deep-well plates are commonly used at −20 °C and −80 °C when well sealed. Leave headspace for expansion, and thaw sealed plates before removing the seal so condensation does not drip into the wells.

Last Updated: September 2026