Molar Mass Calculator
Calculate molar mass, atom counts and elemental mass contributions from a chemical formula.
01 Set up your calculation
- Enter a single chemical formula using case-sensitive element symbols.
- Use parentheses for repeated groups and a dot for water of crystallization.
- Review the total and each element’s mass share; the percentages sum to 100.
02 The relationship
For the assumptions behind these results, read the explanation below. You can also explore Percent Composition and Grams to Moles.
Follow the numbers
For H2O, 2 × 1.008 + 15.999 = 18.015. Its molar mass is 18.015 g/mol, and the numerical relative molecular mass is 18.015.
03 Turn a formula into a mass
Multiply every atomic weight by its full count before adding. A subscript outside a group applies to every atom in that group. For example, Ca(OH)2 contains one calcium, two oxygen and two hydrogen atoms.
This calculation uses a formula as written. It does not identify a compound by name, balance an equation, or infer a missing subscript. Check the displayed atom count if a result looks unexpectedly large.
04 Write a formula the parser can read
Use proper element capitalization: Co is cobalt, while CO contains carbon and oxygen. Ordinary digits and subscript digits work. Parentheses and square brackets can be nested, as in Al2(SO4)3 or K4[Fe(CN)6].
Separate hydrate components with a middle dot or period, for example CuSO4·5H2O. The number after the dot multiplies that entire component. Do not put a reaction coefficient before the first formula.
05 Understand the reported precision
The element values are rounded conventional atomic weights for ordinary material. Natural isotope composition varies, so the final digits should not be interpreted as a sample-specific measurement.
Charge notation, explicit isotope labels, fractional occupancies and full reaction equations are unsupported. Elements without a conventional standard atomic weight require a separately supplied isotope-specific mass in a suitable mass-conversion tool.
Questions from the notebook
Can I calculate a hydrate?
Yes. Enter a formula such as CuSO4·5H2O, including the water that is part of the solid’s formula.
Does this give exact monoisotopic mass?
No. It uses conventional average atomic weights. Isotope-specific exact masses require a different input model.
References & reading
- OpenStax, Rice University — Chemistry 2e: Formula Mass and the Mole Concept ↗
Develops formula-mass addition and conversions among grams, moles and entities.
- NIST — Atomic Weights and Isotopic Compositions ↗
Lists isotope masses and standard atomic weights. Formula calculations use rounded conventional values, not isotope-specific exact masses.
Our explanations are written for ChemistryCalc. Read how we build and check our tools. These calculations are educational estimates where the underlying model requires assumptions.