Science & Engineering
Theoretical and Percent Yield Calculator
Compare actual product yield with a theoretical yield and report percent yield, shortfall, and recovered mass. The calculator uses percent yield = actual yield ÷ theoretical yield × 100. It returns more than one result so you can check the main answer against a useful secondary measure. Percent yield above 100% often signals impurities, residual solvent, measurement error, or an incorrect theoretical basis. Stoichiometry must establish the theoretical yield before this comparison is meaningful.
Educational model only. Use applicable standards, calibrated measurements, and qualified review for safety-critical work.
Calculate and compare
Use the number box for precision or the slider for fast scenario testing.
Scenario results
Purity-corrected yield
81.6%
Corrected actual mass divided by theoretical mass.
Corrected product mass
40.8 g
Actual mass times entered purity.
Yield shortfall
9.2 g
Theoretical minus corrected actual mass.
How the calculation works
Use consistent units and retain full precision until the final display step.
Worked example
Reproduce the displayed scenario, then change one assumption at a time.
Assumptions behind the result
- • Inputs use the units shown beside each control.
- • The displayed formula is applied without hidden market or demographic data.
- • Rounding occurs only for display; calculations keep full numeric precision.
- • Percent yield above 100% often signals impurities, residual solvent, measurement error, or an incorrect theoretical basis.
- • Stoichiometry must establish the theoretical yield before this comparison is meaningful.
Mistakes that change the answer
- • Mixing percentages with decimals or mixing incompatible units.
- • Relying on a rounded intermediate value instead of the full result.
- • Changing several assumptions at once instead of testing actual product mass separately.