pH Calculator

Inputs

Enter a pH value or ion concentration to calculate acidity/basicity.

What is pH?

pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is. The term stands for "potential of hydrogen" and represents the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration: pH = -log₁₀[H⁺].

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral (pure water). Values below 7 are acidic; values above 7 are basic (alkaline).

Key Formulas

pH = -log₁₀[H⁺]
pOH = -log₁₀[OH⁻]
pH + pOH = 14 (at 25°C)
[H⁺] × [OH⁻] = 10⁻¹⁴ (Kw at 25°C)

pH Scale Examples

SolutionpHNature
Battery Acid~0Acidic
Lemon Juice~2Acidic
Coffee~5Acidic
Pure Water7Neutral
Blood~7.4Basic
Baking Soda~9Basic
Bleach~13Basic

Frequently Asked Questions

Can pH be negative or above 14?

Yes, for very strong acids (e.g., concentrated HCl) pH can be negative. For very strong bases, pH can exceed 14.

Why is pH important in biology?

Enzymes and biological processes are highly pH-sensitive. Human blood must maintain a pH near 7.4 for survival.

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