Theoretical Yield Calculator
Find the maximum mass of product a reaction can produce from a given amount of reactant using stoichiometry.
g
g/mol
g/mol
Maximum product mass if the reaction goes to completion
- 1
Moles of reactant
10 ÷ 40 = 0.25Divide reactant mass by its molar mass. - 2
Mole ratio (product ÷ reactant coefficient)
1 ÷ 1 = 1 - 3
Moles of product
0.25 × 1 = 0.25 - 4
Theoretical yield
0.25 × 58.5 = 14.6250
How does this calculator work?
Theoretical yield is the most product a reaction can make. Convert the limiting reactant mass to moles, multiply by the product-to-reactant mole ratio from the balanced equation, then multiply by the product molar mass. The result, in grams, is the maximum yield before real-world losses.
Formula
How this is calculated
The calculator starts by converting the mass of the limiting reactant into moles, dividing the entered mass (in grams) by its molar mass (in g/mol). Molar mass must be positive, so a value of zero or below is rejected.
Next it applies the mole ratio taken from the balanced chemical equation. Multiplying the moles of reactant by the ratio of the product coefficient to the reactant coefficient gives the moles of product that can form. The reactant coefficient must also be positive to avoid dividing by zero.
Finally the moles of product are multiplied by the product molar mass to give the theoretical yield in grams. This is the maximum possible output assuming the reaction proceeds completely and no product is lost; real reactions give a lower actual yield, and percent yield compares the two.
Frequently asked questions
Theoretical yield is the maximum mass calculated from stoichiometry assuming a complete reaction with no losses. Actual yield is what you actually recover in the lab, which is usually lower due to side reactions, incomplete conversion and handling losses.
They are the stoichiometric coefficients from the balanced chemical equation. For 2 H2 + O2 → 2 H2O, the coefficient of H2O is 2 and of O2 is 1, giving a 2:1 mole ratio.
Use the limiting reactant, the one that runs out first and caps how much product can form. If you are unsure, compute moles of each reactant divided by its coefficient and pick the smallest.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Theoretical Yield Calculator [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/theoretical-yield-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Theoretical Yield Calculator." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/theoretical-yield-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Theoretical Yield Calculator," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/theoretical-yield-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_theoretical_yield_calculator, title = {Theoretical Yield Calculator}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/theoretical-yield-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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