Type a chemical equation and get the balanced version with the smallest whole-number coefficients.
A balanced chemical equation has the same number of atoms of each element on both sides — the law of conservation of mass, stated by Lavoisier in 1789. This tool finds the smallest set of whole-number coefficients that achieves that balance, using Gaussian elimination on the element matrix.
For simple equations like H₂ + O₂ → H₂O the answer is immediate (2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O). For combustion, redox and organic reactions with many elements and compounds, the algebra gets tedious by hand — this is where the matrix method earns its keep.
The parser understands standard chemical notation: uppercase letter optionally followed by lowercase (Fe, Na, Cl), subscript numbers (H2O, C6H12O6), and parenthetical groups with subscripts (Ca(OH)2, Al2(SO4)3). It does not understand charges, phases or state symbols.
Set up a matrix where each row is an element and each column is a compound, with products negative. Find the null space via Gaussian elimination. Scale to the smallest positive integers.
Standard formulas (H2O, NaCl, Ca(OH)2, C6H12O6) separated by + on each side, with -> or = between reactants and products.
Not yet — it balances atoms, not charges. For full ionic equations you need to balance both, which this tool does not do.
Usually because an element appears on only one side, or the formulas contain a typo. Check every symbol and subscript.
No. The matrix algebra runs in JavaScript on your device.
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