Enter the mass of the component and the total mass of the sample into the calculator. The calculator will determine the mass percent of the substance. This calculator can also determine both masses given the mass percent and value of the other variable.

Mass Percent Formula

The following equation is used to calculate the mass percent of a compound in a substance. 

MP = MC/MS * 100
  • Where MP is the mass percent of the compound
  • MC is the total mass of the compound
  • MS is the total mass of the substance

To calculate a mass percent, divide the total mass of the compound by the mass of the substance, then multiply by 100.

Mass Percent Definition

A mass percent is a ratio of the total mass of a singular compound within a larger mass of a substance.

Mass Percent Example

How to calculate mass percent?

First, measure the mass of the compound. This should be only the mass of the compound of material you are trying to calculate the mass percent for. Use accurate calculations of scales for this.

For this example, the mass of the compound is measured to be 50 kg.

Next, measure the mass of the entire substance. This is the mass of the entire solution or substance including the compound being analyzed. The same measurement techniques as step 1 should be used.

For this example, the mass of the entire solution/substance is found to be 150kg.

Finally, calculate the mass percent using the values of the compound and substance found above.

M% = MC/MS * 100

M% = MC/MS * 100

M% = MC/MS * 100

FAQ

What is mass percent?

Mass percent is defined as the total percentage of mass that one single compound makes up out of the total mass of a solution of a substance that the compound is contained in.

How do you measure the masses of compounds?

This can be further explained in our average atomic mass calculator, but the simple answer is through using known masses for the basic elements and determining how much of each element is in the compound.