Electronegativity Calculator

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Pauling is the most widely used scale in general chemistry. Allred-Rochow is based on effective nuclear charge and covalent radius.
First element in the bond.
Second element in the bond.
Enable to enter your own electronegativity values instead of using the built-in table.
Electronegativity difference (delta-chi)Ionic
2.23

Absolute difference |chi(A) - chi(B)|; drives bond classification

Electronegativity of A0.93
Electronegativity of B3.16
Percent ionic character71.2%
Bond typeIonic
2.23 delta-chi
Nonpolar Covalent<0.4Polar Covalent0.4-1.7Ionic1.7+

The Na-Cl bond is Ionic (delta-chi = 2.23).

  • On the Pauling scale, the electronegativity difference for Na-Cl is 2.23, placing it in the Ionic range (electron transfer dominates; full ions form).
  • The estimated percent ionic character is 71.2%. A value above 50% is typically considered strongly ionic in character.
  • Chlorine (Cl) is more electronegative (chi = 3.16), so it draws the shared electrons toward itself.

Next stepFor ionic bonds, consider calculating lattice energy with the Born-Lande equation to quantify ionic strength.

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