Explore the Chemical Equation Balancer
Practise with 1,700+ real equations, or type your own and balance it with charges. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Chemical Equation Balancer with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Chemical Equation Balancer?
Practise with 1,700+ real equations, or type your own and balance it with charges. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Balancing equations is the first step of every chemistry calculation, from lab yields to industrial reactors, fuels and medicine manufacturing.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Atoms are neither created nor destroyed, so both sides need the same count of each element.
Change coefficients, never the subscripts inside a formula.
Balance elements that appear in one compound on each side first, and leave O and H for last.
Pick Hard and Combustion, then balance a large hydrocarbon.
Switch to Your own equation and type MnO4^- + Fe^2+ + H^+ -> Mn^2+ + Fe^3+ + H2O. Charge must balance too.
Use Hint when stuck, and try to finish a streak of five without help.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Reactions & Kinetics learners
Students learning reaction rates, equilibrium and equations, and teachers who want a visual way to explain what happens to particles.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Chemical Equation Balancer on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Switch to Your own equation and type MnO4^- + Fe^2+ + H^+ -> Mn^2+ + Fe^3+ + H2O. Charge must balance too. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
Why can't I change the subscripts to balance an equation?
Subscripts define what the substance is. Changing H₂O to H₂O₂ makes hydrogen peroxide, a different compound. Only coefficients can change.
What is the law of conservation of mass?
In a chemical reaction the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products, because atoms are only rearranged.
Is the Chemical Equation Balancer free to use?
Yes. The Chemical Equation Balancer is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Reactions & Kinetics group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Chemical Equation Balancer work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Chemical Equation Balancer takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 2 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Chemical Equation Balancer?
1. In the Chemical Equation Balancer, use the controls to change Difficulty, Type of reaction. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Chemical Equation Balancer, pick an option such as All, Easy, Medium, Hard to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Chemical Equation Balancer, press "New equation", "Hint", "Show answer", "Reset" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Pick Hard and Combustion, then balance a large hydrocarbon. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Chemical Equation Balancer responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Atoms are neither created nor destroyed, so both sides need the same count of each element.
More free tools
Related to the Chemical Equation Balancer.
Try the Chemical Equation Balancer now
Practise with 1,700+ real equations, or type your own and balance it with charges. Free to use.
Try it free