Chemistry
Electronegativity Difference Calculator
Compare two Pauling electronegativity values to see whether a bond is non-polar, polar or ionic.
Your inputs
Change any value to update the result instantly.
Electronegativity difference (Δχ)
2.23
Predicted bond type
Predominantly ionic bond
More electronegative value
3.16
Percent ionic character
71.2 %
Cut-offs of 0.4 and 1.7 are a widely used teaching convention, not a sharp physical boundary.
What this calculator does
Compares two Pauling electronegativity values to classify bond polarity.
What your result means
Δχ near zero indicates a non-polar covalent bond; a large Δχ indicates strongly ionic character.
Formula and working
Δχ = |χ₁ − χ₂|
- 1
Collect the inputs
Electronegativity of atom 1 (χ₁) = 3.16; Electronegativity of atom 2 (χ₂) = 0.93
- 2
Apply the formula
Δχ = |χ₁ − χ₂|
- 3
Result
Electronegativity difference (Δχ) = 2.23
Frequently asked questions
Symbols and assumptions
- χ
- Pauling electronegativity
- Δχ
- |χ₁ − χ₂|
- • Values are on the Pauling scale.
- • Classification boundaries of 0.4 and 1.7 follow the common teaching convention.
Sources and review
Reviewed 2026-09-22 · Next review 2027-09-22
- • Bond character is continuous; the cut-offs are conventions, not physical thresholds.
Important limitation
This is an educational estimate based only on the values and formula shown. Verify current rates, rules, units, and professional standards before relying on the result. It is not personalized financial or investment advice.
Report a mistake or request an improvement
Tell us if a formula, unit, explanation, or result needs attention. Your message will include this calculator’s name and page.
Related calculators
Bond Order Calculator
Find the molecular-orbital bond order from the number of bonding and antibonding electrons.
Percent Ionic Character Calculator
Estimate how ionic a bond is from the electronegativity difference between the two atoms.
Atom Calculator
Work out the protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom or ion from its atomic number, mass number and charge.
Atomic Mass Calculator
Estimate the mass number and the mass of a single atom in unified atomic mass units and kilograms.
Average Atomic Mass Calculator
Combine isotope masses and their natural abundances into the average atomic mass of an element.
Effective Nuclear Charge Calculator
Calculate the effective nuclear charge felt by an electron from the atomic number and the shielding constant.