When to use this calculator
Purity describes composition of the sample, whereas yield compares product obtained against a reaction’s theoretical maximum.
Explore the reaction quantities & yield calculators for other questions in this topic. For a related calculation, use the Percent Yield Calculator: Compare actual product yield with theoretical yield.
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
Percent Purity: a worked example
The values below are an illustrative example, not a recommendation. Replace them with measurements or assumptions that match your question.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Pure component mass (g) | 9 |
| Total sample mass (g) | 10 |
| Result | 90 % |
- Check the input labels and enter the example values above.
- Apply the relationship: Purity (%) = pure mass/total sample mass × 100.
- The result is 90 %, rounded for display.
How to interpret your result
The pure-component mass must be established by an appropriate measurement or assay.
Balance the chemical equation before using mole ratios. Identify the limiting reactant separately. Yield, purity and atom economy measure different aspects of a reaction and should not be substituted for one another.
Frequently asked questions
Is percent yield the same as atom economy?
No. Yield compares actual product against a theoretical amount; atom economy describes stoichiometric use of reactant mass in the desired product.
When is the percent purity calculator useful?
Purity describes composition of the sample, whereas yield compares product obtained against a reaction’s theoretical maximum.
How do I use the percent purity calculator?
Enter pure component mass (g), total sample mass (g). The result updates automatically. Use the units shown beside each input; the example values illustrate the method.
Which formula does this calculator use?
Purity (%) = pure mass/total sample mass × 100.
What should I check before using the result?
The pure-component mass must be established by an appropriate measurement or assay.
How are results rounded?
Scalar numbers display up to six decimal places, with scientific notation for very large or small values. Text, fraction, date and schedule outputs use the format described on the tool. Intermediate calculations use JavaScript floating-point arithmetic. Keep sensible precision for your measurements.
Further reading
For background on this topic, see OpenStax: quantitative chemical analysis ↗. This is a topic reference, not an external review or endorsement of this tool.
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