Chemical Equation Balancer
Instantly balance any chemical equation using the law of conservation of mass. Get whole-number coefficients, an element-by-element atom count check, and automatic reaction type detection.
Balance Your Chemical Equation
Enter an unbalanced chemical equation using standard formulas, and get instant whole-number coefficients that satisfy the conservation of mass.
Equation Input
Use formulas like Fe2O3, and separate sides with -> or =
Balanced Result
Whole-number coefficients and atom verification
Common Reaction Types
Recognising the reaction type can help you predict products and check whether your balanced equation makes chemical sense.
| Reaction Type | General Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Synthesis (Combination) | A + B → AB | 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O |
| Decomposition | AB → A + B | 2KClO3 → 2KCl + 3O2 |
| Single Displacement | A + BC → AC + B | Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl2 + H2 |
| Double Displacement | AB + CD → AD + CB | AgNO3 + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO3 |
| Combustion | CxHy + O2 → CO2 + H2O | CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O |
Equation Balancing FAQ
Everything you need to know about balancing chemical equations and why it matters.
Balancing a chemical equation means adjusting the coefficients in front of each reactant and product so that the number of atoms of every element is the same on both sides of the equation.
Equations must be balanced to satisfy the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. An unbalanced equation would imply atoms appearing or disappearing.
A subscript is the small number written within a chemical formula, such as the 2 in H2O, and shows how many atoms of an element are in one molecule. A coefficient is the number placed in front of a formula, such as the 2 in 2H2O, and shows how many molecules or units of that substance are involved.
This tool balances standard molecular equations by matching atom counts of each element. It does not currently balance net ionic charges or half-reactions, so redox equations with charge states may need additional manual balancing.