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Ideal Gas Law Calculator (PV = nRT)

Solve the ideal gas law PV = nRT for pressure, volume, moles or temperature — enter any three quantities in SI units and get the fourth. Uses R = 8.314 J/(mol·K).

 

Formula

$$ PV = nRT \quad\Rightarrow\quad P=\frac{nRT}{V},\; V=\frac{nRT}{P},\; n=\frac{PV}{RT},\; T=\frac{PV}{nR} $$
R = 8.314 J/(mol·K)

Worked example

One mole of gas at 0 °C (273.15 K) and 1 atm (101,325 Pa) occupies \( V = nRT/P = (1)(8.314)(273.15)/101325 \approx 0.0224\ \text{m}^3 = 22.4\ \text{litres} \) — the classic molar volume at STP.

How it works

The ideal gas law PV = nRT links the pressure P, volume V, amount of gas n (in moles) and absolute temperature T through the gas constant R = 8.314 J/(mol·K). It describes real gases well at low pressure and high temperature.

Enter any three quantities and the calculator solves for the fourth. Always use absolute temperature in kelvin (°C + 273.15) and SI units — pressure in pascals and volume in cubic metres — so the value of R applies.

Frequently asked questions

What is the full formula for PV = nRT?

P is pressure (Pa), V is volume (m³), n is the number of moles, R is the gas constant 8.314 J/(mol·K), and T is absolute temperature (K). It relates all four gas properties.

What value of R should I use?

In SI units R = 8.314 J/(mol·K), used with pressure in pascals and volume in cubic metres. If you work in litres and atmospheres, R = 0.08206 L·atm/(mol·K) instead.

Why must temperature be in kelvin?

The law is derived for absolute temperature. Using Celsius would give wrong (even negative) results, so always convert with T(K) = T(°C) + 273.15.

What is the molar volume of a gas at STP?

About 22.4 litres per mole at 0 °C and 1 atm, which follows directly from V = nRT/P.

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