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pH of an Aqueous Salt by Hydrolysis Calculator

WA-SB salt: pH = 7 + ½·(pKa + log C); SA-WB salt: pH = 7 − ½·(pKb + log C).

Compute the pH of a salt solution that undergoes hydrolysis. Choose whether the salt comes from a weak-acid + strong-base (e.g. CH₃COONa, basic) or strong-acid + weak-base (e.g. NH₄Cl, acidic) pairing, then enter the pK of the weak partner and the salt's molar concentration. Uses the standard Ostwald-derived formulas under the dilute-solution approximation.

Dr. Helena Ortiz By Dr. Helena Ortiz
Published Last reviewed 1 min read

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Results

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How to use this calculator

  1. Fill in the inputs above using the units you already have.
  2. Values update automatically as you type — no submit button needed.
  3. Hover any result row for the underlying formula and intermediate values.

Formula

WA-SB: pH = 7 + ½·(pK + log₁₀ C); SA-WB: pH = 7 − ½·(pK + log₁₀ C).

In depth

Compute the pH of a salt solution that undergoes hydrolysis. Choose whether the salt comes from a weak-acid + strong-base (e.g. CH₃COONa, basic) or strong-acid + weak-base (e.g. NH₄Cl, acidic) pairing, then enter the pK of the weak partner and the salt's molar concentration. Uses the standard Ostwald-derived formulas under the dilute-solution approximation.