Molecular Weight Calculator

Molecular weight (also called molecular mass) is the sum of the atomic weights of all atoms in a molecule. It is calculated by multiplying the atomic weight of each element by the number of atoms of that element in the molecule, then adding all the results together.

Enter chemical formulas using standard notation: element symbols followed by numbers for subscripts (e.g., H2O, CO2). For compounds with parentheses, use the format Ca(OH)2. The calculator handles both simple and complex formulas automatically.

The calculator displays molecular weight in grams per mole (g/mol), which is equivalent to atomic mass units (amu) for individual molecules. This is the standard unit used in chemistry for molecular weight calculations.

Yes! The calculator can parse complex formulas including those with parentheses and multiple element groups. Examples include Ca(OH)2, Mg(NO3)2, and Al2(SO4)3. It correctly distributes the coefficients across all elements within parentheses.

The calculator includes atomic weights for all naturally occurring elements up to Uranium (U), plus some common synthetic elements. It covers the complete periodic table used in standard chemistry calculations and educational settings.

The calculator uses standard atomic weights from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The values are accurate to at least 3 decimal places, which is sufficient for most educational and research purposes.

While this tool calculates molecular weights, stoichiometry calculations require additional steps using the molecular weights. Once you have the molecular weight from this tool, you can use it in stoichiometric equations to calculate mole ratios and quantities.

Check that you are using correct element symbols from the periodic table. Element symbols are case-sensitive: use "Ca" not "ca", "Cl" not "cl". Make sure you are not using abbreviations or non-standard element names.

The element breakdown shows each element in your formula, how many atoms of each element are present, and the contribution of each element to the total molecular weight. This helps you understand which elements contribute most to the overall mass.

Yes, this tool is excellent for calculating molecular weights of pharmaceutical compounds, active ingredients, and drug molecules. However, for critical pharmaceutical applications, always verify results with official references and consult with qualified professionals.

Absolutely! The calculator works with all types of chemical compounds, including organic molecules like glucose (C6H12O6), ethanol (C2H5OH), and complex organic structures. Just enter the molecular formula using standard chemical notation.

Molecular weight and molar mass are numerically identical but conceptually different. Molecular weight refers to the mass of a single molecule, while molar mass refers to the mass of one mole of molecules. Both are expressed in g/mol for practical calculations.