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Molecular Weight Calculator

Find relative molecular mass and elemental contributions from a chemical formula.

By ChemistryCalc•Updated October 28, 2026•References
Your calculationLive results · change any value

On this pageCalculatorHow to useFormula & methodWorked exampleMolecular mass and molar massWrite a formula the parser can readUnderstand the reported precisionFrequently asked questionsRelated calculatorsSources

01 Set up your calculation

  1. Enter a single chemical formula using case-sensitive element symbols.
  2. Use parentheses for repeated groups and a dot for water of crystallization.
  3. Review the total and each element’s mass share; the percentages sum to 100.

02 The relationship

Formula mass = Σ(number of atoms of each element × its atomic weight).

For the assumptions behind these results, read the explanation below. You can also explore Rate of Effusion and Percent Composition.

WORKED EXAMPLE

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 Molecular mass and molar 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.

Relative molecular mass is a dimensionless ratio. The average molecular mass in u and molar mass in g/mol have essentially the same numerical value for ordinary chemistry. For an ionic solid, formula-unit mass is the more accurate term.

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

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.