Chemical equation balancer
Enter an unbalanced equation, including ions, to get the smallest whole-number coefficients.
Use + between substances and -> (or =) between the sides. Formulas are case-sensitive, so Co is cobalt and CO is carbon monoxide. For ions, write the charge after a ^, like Fe^3+, SO4^2-, or MnO4^-, and use e^- for an electron. Keep spaces around the arrow.
How balancing works
A balanced equation has the same number of each kind of atom, and the same total charge, on both sides. This tool counts every element in every formula, sets up one equation per element, and solves for the smallest whole-number coefficients that make all the counts match.
Some inputs can’t be balanced. If an element appears on only one side, or the formulas don’t describe a real reaction, you’ll see a message instead of an answer.
Ions and charges
Write a charge after a caret, such as Fe^3+, SO4^2-, or H^+, and write an electron as e^-. The tool then balances total charge as well as atoms, which is what ionic and redox equations need. Half-reactions work too: Zn -> Zn^2+ + e^- is already balanced. It doesn’t work out oxidation states or tell you which species gain or lose electrons.