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Chemistry Tools · Updated October 21, 2026 · Reviewed by FormatFlow Editorial

Theoretical Yield Calculator

You can calculate the theoretical yield of a product from a balanced equation and a known limiting amount, and turn a theoretical and actual yield into a percent yield.

Runs in your browserFree · No sign-up · No watermark
YIELD → PERCENTRuns in your browser
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Everything runs locally in this tab. No file is uploaded while the tool loads.

This tool runs in your tab. Nothing is uploaded and no copy is stored.

How files are handled

At a glance

Works with
YIELD → PERCENT
Processing
In your browser
Price
Free, no account
Updated
October 21, 2026
All Chemistry Tools

About Theoretical Yield Calculator

The theoretical yield is the amount of product a balanced equation predicts when the limiting reactant is completely consumed. It is the number you compare against what you actually collect, and the difference is expressed as percent yield, which says how efficient the reaction was.

This calculator covers both halves of that comparison. One mode finds the theoretical yield from an equation, a limiting amount and a product; the other divides an actual yield by a theoretical yield to give the percentage, with a note on what values above and below 100% usually mean.

What this tool does

The details that matter when you use Theoretical Yield Calculator for real work.

  • Two calculation modes

    Find a theoretical yield from an equation and limiting amount, or compute percent yield from a theoretical and actual value.

  • Mass or moles

    Enter the known amount in grams with a molar mass or directly in moles, and read the product yield in both units.

  • Auto-balanced equations

    The equation is balanced with the shared integer solver, so the coefficient ratio used for the yield is the correct one.

  • Percent yield interpretation

    Results below, at and above 100 percent come with a short explanation of the usual causes, including wet or impure product and measurement error.

  • Worked steps

    Each result shows the balanced equation, the conversion to moles, the coefficient ratio and the final mass calculation.

  • Local and private

    Everything runs in the page; the equation and yields are never uploaded, stored or sent anywhere.

How to use Theoretical Yield Calculator

No account, no installation — the whole job happens in this browser tab.
  1. 01

    Choose the mode

    Pick theoretical yield to predict a product amount, or percent yield to compare a collected amount with a prediction.

  2. 02

    Enter the equation

    For theoretical yield, type the reaction with ->, → or = and + separators; the tool balances it automatically.

  3. 03

    Provide the known amount

    Select the known limiting species and the wanted product, then enter the amount in grams with its molar mass or in moles.

  4. 04

    Read the theoretical yield

    The result gives the product's moles and mass at 100% yield, with the coefficient ratio in the working.

  5. 05

    Compare with the actual yield

    Switch to percent yield, enter the theoretical and collected values in the same unit, and read the percentage and interpretation.

How this tool works

Works with
YIELD → PERCENT
Processing
Client-side, in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Requirements
Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari · JavaScript enabled

Limitations worth knowing

  • The theoretical-yield mode assumes the selected species is the limiting reactant; if another reactant runs out first, the real yield will be lower.
  • Percent yield depends on the quality of both measurements and cannot correct for wet, impure or partially reacted product.
  • Ideal one-step reactions only: side reactions, equilibria and losses are not modelled.

Privacy and file handling

The equation and yield values are processed in your browser tab. Nothing is uploaded, stored or logged, and the calculator makes no network request.

Read the full privacy policy

Theoretical Yield Calculator FAQ

Short, direct answers to the questions people ask before using this tool.
What is theoretical yield in chemistry?
Theoretical yield is the maximum amount of product predicted by a balanced equation when the limiting reactant is completely consumed. It is a calculation from the coefficients and molar masses, not a measurement from the lab.
How do I calculate theoretical yield?
Convert the limiting reactant amount to moles, multiply by the ratio of the product coefficient to the limiting coefficient, and convert the resulting moles to mass with the product's molar mass. This calculator performs all three steps and shows them.
What does a percent yield above 100% mean?
More product mass than predicted usually means the product is wet or impure, the theoretical yield was calculated for the wrong limiting reactant, or the measurement is inaccurate. Dry and purify the sample before concluding that the calculation is wrong.
Why is percent yield usually below 100%?
Some reactant may not react, the reaction may be reversible, side products may form, and product is lost during transfer, filtration or drying. A yield below 100% is normal and does not by itself indicate a calculation error.
Do the theoretical and actual yields need the same units?
Yes. Percent yield is a ratio, so both values must be masses or both must be mole amounts. Mixing grams with moles without converting gives a meaningless percentage; this calculator keeps both fields on one unit switch.
What is the difference between theoretical and actual yield?
Theoretical yield comes from the balanced equation and the limiting amount; actual yield is the amount of product you really collect. Percent yield is the actual divided by the theoretical, multiplied by 100.
Can I calculate a theoretical yield without a balanced equation?
No, because the product amount depends on the coefficient ratio. If your equation is unbalanced, type it as written anyway: this calculator balances it first and reports an error only when the equation cannot be balanced.

Background reading

Format guides that explain the trade-offs behind Theoretical Yield Calculator.