Methylene Blue
Buy Reagent Grade Methylene Blue Crystal and Premixed Staining Solutions for Lab and Industrial Use.
Buy methylene blue online in the form your lab or facility needs, with the price right on the page. 1% and 0.1% aqueous solutions and Reagent Grade Trihydrate crystal cover general staining and reagent use. Specialty premixed formats include a 1% solution in ethanol, Loeffler's solution, a classic bacterial staining formula, a 1.5% solution in 20% methanol, and a Sand Testing solution used specifically for the methylene blue sand equivalent test in construction and aggregate quality control.
Every methylene blue product we carry is Reagent Grade, sold for laboratory, industrial and aquarium use. None of it is pharmaceutical grade, and none of it is intended for human consumption or internal use of any kind. If your interest in methylene blue is medical or therapeutic, that requires pharmaceutical grade material prescribed and supervised by a physician, not a laboratory reagent ordered online, and methylene blue carries a real risk of a serious drug interaction, serotonin syndrome, when combined with certain antidepressants and other medications. Every product ships with its SDS and COA posted online, and it ships to business, lab and school addresses rather than residential ones.
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98.9%
inventory accuracy
SDS + COA
available online, every product
Methylene Blue - 7 products All Filters
Methylene Blue - 7 products About Methylene Blue
Methylene Blue, a thiazine dye that forms a deep blue, water soluble solid or solution. Chemically, it's a redox active compound, meaning it readily accepts and donates electrons, switching between a blue oxidized form and a colorless reduced form. That property is the whole reason it's useful as a redox indicator in chemistry, and it's also behind its action as a biological stain: methylene blue binds to negatively charged components inside cells, which is what makes bacteria, yeast and other microorganisms visible under a microscope. In aquarium use, that same redox and antimicrobial activity disrupts fungal and some bacterial growth, which is why it's a long standing treatment for fish eggs and fungal infections in fish. All of this is laboratory and industrial chemistry; it has nothing to do with the human supplement use some people search for online, which requires an entirely different, pharmaceutical grade product.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
Biological stain for bacteria, yeast, fungi and other microorganisms under the microscope, including classic formulas like Loeffler's methylene blue used in bacteriology. Redox indicator in chemistry demonstrations and analytical methods. Aquarium treatment for fungal infections and certain parasitic conditions in fish and fish eggs, applied as a bath or directly to affected tissue, never as an additive to a fully stocked, cycled tank. The methylene blue sand equivalent test, a standard method in civil engineering and construction material testing that measures clay and fine particle content in sand and aggregate. General laboratory reagent use across biology, chemistry and materials testing.
GRADES EXPLAINED
Every product in this category is Reagent Grade, meaning it's manufactured and tested for laboratory, industrial and aquarium use, not for food, pharmaceutical or human consumption applications. Within Reagent Grade, the difference between products here is mostly format and concentration: solid trihydrate crystal for weighing out your own concentrations, premixed aqueous solutions at 1% or 0.1% for immediate use, and specialty premixed formulas like Loeffler's solution and the sand testing solution, built for one specific, established method.
TYPES & GRADES AT A GLANCE
Solid crystal for preparing custom concentrations.
Premixed aqueous solutions for general staining and aquarium use.
Premixed aqueous solutions for general staining and aquarium use.
An alcohol based solution for specific staining protocols.
A classic bacteriology staining formula.
A specialty concentration for particular lab methods.
Formulated specifically for the sand equivalent test in construction material testing.
WHY BUY FROM LAB ALLEY
256,000+ customers already order their chemicals and reagents from Lab Alley. 99.5% of orders ship within 1 to 2 business days, and 98.9% inventory accuracy means the grade you see in stock is the grade that ships. SDS and COA are available online for every methylene blue product. None of our methylene blue products carry food grade, Kosher or Halal certification; all are Reagent Grade for laboratory, industrial and aquarium use.
Related: See our Polysorbate collection, or browse all Specialty Chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy methylene blue online?
Right here. We carry methylene blue as Reagent Grade trihydrate crystal and premixed solutions at various concentrations, including specialty formulas for bacteriology staining and sand equivalent testing. Place your order on this page and it ships from our Texas warehouse, usually the same or next business day.
Is your methylene blue pharmaceutical grade?
No. Every methylene blue product we sell is Reagent Grade, which meets strict purity standards for laboratory and research use but is not manufactured, tested, or certified under pharmaceutical GMP guidelines. If your application specifically requires USP or pharmaceutical-grade methylene blue, this is not the right product.
Is methylene blue safe to take as a supplement?
That is a medical question outside what we can answer as a chemical supplier. We sell Reagent Grade methylene blue for laboratory use only, and it is not formulated or labeled for human consumption. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for any questions about using methylene blue therapeutically.
What is methylene blue actually used for?
In the lab, it's a biological stain for cells, bacteria, and nucleic acids under the microscope. It's also used in the sand equivalent test (ASTM D2419) to measure clay content in aggregates, and in redox and oxidation experiments as an indicator. Our premixed solutions are formulated for specific methods, so check the product descriptions to match the right formula to your application.
Do I need a permit, and can methylene blue ship to a home address?
No purchase permit is required for methylene blue. It is not a controlled substance, a DEA List chemical, or a regulated precursor. We ship to business and residential addresses across the contiguous United States. Standard shipping restrictions for hazardous materials apply to some products, so check the product page for carrier and packaging details.
Which methylene blue product should I buy?
Match it to your method. The trihydrate crystal is the right choice if you need to prepare your own solutions at a specific concentration. Our premixed 1% solution is the standard for most biological staining protocols. The 0.1% solution is used in the standard sand equivalent test. The bacteriology-grade solutions meet APHA and Standard Methods specifications. If you're not sure, our team can help you match the product to your protocol.
Can methylene blue be used in a community fish tank?
With real caution. Methylene blue is used in aquaculture to treat fungal infections on fish eggs and as an antifungal bath, but it will stain everything in your tank, kill beneficial bacteria in your biofilter, and is generally incompatible with a planted or community setup. Most aquarists use it in a separate quarantine or treatment tank. We sell Reagent Grade material, not a formulated aquarium product, so any use is at your own discretion.
Can I buy methylene blue in bulk?
Yes, several of our solutions are available up to 4 liters, and the trihydrate crystal is available in larger quantities. If you need a volume or pack size not listed on the site, contact our sales team for a quote.
How should methylene blue be stored?
Keep it tightly sealed in its original container, away from direct light, heat, and ignition sources. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, separate from strong oxidizers and reducing agents. Review the SDS for complete handling and storage requirements before use.
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Learn more → If you are purchasing SDA in 5 gallons or more, you are required to provide a TTB permit showing how much of the product you are allowed to purchase per year. Please email your TTB permit to
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