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Colligative Properties Calculator

Freezing-point depression, boiling-point elevation and osmotic pressure from molality, van't Hoff factor i and solvent Kf/Kb constants.

About this tool

The Colligative Properties Calculator is a free, in-browser chemistry tool for the four colligative effects that depend on the amount of dissolved particles rather than their identity. Pick a solvent to load its cryoscopic constant Kf and ebullioscopic constant Kb, enter the molality of the solution and the van't Hoff factor i, and it returns the freezing-point depression, boiling-point elevation, the shifted freezing and boiling points, and the osmotic pressure.

Freezing-point depression is ΔTf = i · Kf · b and boiling-point elevation is ΔTb = i · Kb · b, where b is molality in mol/kg; the new points are (normal freezing point − ΔTf) and (normal boiling point + ΔTb). Osmotic pressure uses π = i · M · R · T with molarity M in mol/L, absolute temperature T in kelvin, and the gas constant R = 0.08206 L·atm/mol·K, giving π in atmospheres.

All calculations run locally in your browser, so nothing you enter is uploaded. The van't Hoff factor i is 1 for a non-electrolyte (like sugar), about 2 for NaCl and 3 for CaCl₂, accounting for the particles a solute releases. Choosing Custom lets you type your own Kf and Kb; the shifted freezing/boiling points then reference 0 °C and 100 °C.

Frequently asked questions

What is the van't Hoff factor i?
It is the number of dissolved particles per formula unit. Non-electrolytes such as glucose have i = 1, NaCl ideally gives i = 2, and CaCl₂ about 3. Colligative effects scale directly with i, so ionic solutes depress freezing points more than their molality alone suggests.
What units do molality and molarity use here?
Molality b is in mol of solute per kg of solvent (mol/kg) and is used for ΔTf and ΔTb. Osmotic pressure uses molarity M in mol per litre of solution (mol/L) with temperature in kelvin, since π = i·M·R·T.
Why is temperature in kelvin for osmotic pressure?
The osmotic-pressure law π = i·M·R·T requires absolute temperature. With R = 0.08206 L·atm/mol·K the result is in atmospheres, so a temperature at or below 0 K is rejected.
Where do the Kf and Kb constants come from?
They are standard cryoscopic and ebullioscopic constants for each solvent in °C·kg/mol, for example water Kf = 1.86 and Kb = 0.512, benzene Kf = 5.12 and Kb = 2.53. Pick Custom to enter your own values.

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