Molar mass of methane (CH₄)

The molar mass of methane (CH₄) is 16.043 g/mol, summed from the IUPAC standard atomic weights of C, H x 4.

Mass of sample

Amount of substance

mol

Molar mass

16.043g/mol

= Exact Molar mass of methane

Moles in the sample mass: 0.623 324 81 mol
Mass of that amount of substance: 16.043
Molecules in the sample mass: 3.75375e+23

Show the working

Mass of sample = 10
Amount of substance = 1
Molar mass = 12.011 + 1.008*4 = 16.043
Moles in the sample mass = 10 / 16.043 = 0.623 325
Mass of that amount of substance = 1 * 16.043 = 16.043
Molecules in the sample mass = 0.623 325 * NA = 3.75375e+23

Values are shown to six significant figures here; the arithmetic itself runs on exact fractions and is only rounded where a number is printed.

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The formula

Molar mass = sum over elements of (atomic weight x number of atoms)
For CH₄: 12.011 + 1.008 x 4 = 16.043 g/mol
Moles = mass / molar mass; mass = moles x molar mass
Molecules = moles x 6.02214076 x 10^23 (the Avogadro constant, exact by definition)

Molar mass in grams per mole is numerically equal to the molecular mass in daltons, so this figure doubles as the molecular weight.

Atomic weights are the IUPAC 2021 standard values. Several elements have a range rather than a single value because isotope ratios vary between sources; the conventional single value is used here.

Composition by mass

Element	Atoms	Atomic weight	Contribution (g/mol)	Share of mass
Carbon (C)	1	12.011	12.011	74.868 %
Hydrogen (H)	4	1.008	4.032	25.132 %

Contributions add to the molar mass of 16.043 g/mol. Atomic weights are the IUPAC 2021 standard values.

Frequently asked

What is the molar mass of methane?

16.043 g/mol, for the formula CH₄.

How do you convert grams of methane to moles?

Divide the mass in grams by 16.043 g/mol. One gram of methane is 0.0623325 mol.

How many grams are in one mole of methane?

16.043 g, by definition of the molar mass.

Is molar mass the same as molecular weight?

Numerically yes, for the purposes of this calculation. Molecular weight is a dimensionless ratio and molar mass carries units of g/mol, but the digits are identical.

Where the numbers come from

IUPAC 2021 standard atomic weights; Avogadro constant fixed by the 2019 SI.