About the Empirical Formula Calculator

Finds a compound's empirical (and optional molecular) formula from percent composition or mass data.

What it is

Enter each element's percent composition or measured mass, and the calculator converts every value to moles, divides by the smallest mole value, and simplifies to the lowest whole-number ratio — showing each intermediate step.

Features

Two input modes

Percent composition (validated against 100%) or raw mass data with any number of rows.

Atomic weight lookup

A built-in table of common elements; unrecognized symbols are flagged.

Mole-ratio derivation

Each step — moles, division by smallest, and any multiplier applied — is shown explicitly.

Non-integer ratio handling

Ratios like x.5 are cleared by multiplying by the correct small integer, explained in the working.

Optional molecular formula

Supply a known molar mass to derive the full molecular formula from the empirical result.

Ready to calculate?

Free, no sign-up required.

Open the Empirical Formula Calculator