Salt Questions · Science, chemistry & environment
What is the chemical formula for table salt?
Short answer
The chemical formula for table salt is NaCl: sodium chloride. It is made of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) in a 1:1 ratio, held together by ionic bonds. Table salt as sold may also contain small amounts of iodine (as potassium iodide) and an anti-caking agent.
NaCl by weight
- Sodium (Na) 39.3%
- Chloride (Cl) 60.7%
Breaking down NaCl
- Na is the symbol for sodium, from its Latin name natrium.
- Cl is chlorine; in salt it exists as the chloride ion, Cl−.
- The two combine one-to-one: every sodium ion is balanced by one chloride ion.
Key facts
| Molar mass | 58.44 g/mol |
|---|---|
| Sodium by weight | 39.3% |
| Melting point | 801 °C (1,474 °F) |
| Mineral name | Halite |
What else is in a salt shaker?
Iodized table salt contains a tiny amount of potassium iodide (KI) and often an anti-caking agent such as calcium silicate, so the product is technically a mixture, though it is over 97% NaCl.
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Cite this page
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The Salt Almanac. (2026, November 8). What is the chemical formula for table salt. https://saltalmanac.com/answers/what-is-the-chemical-formula-for-table-salt
“What is the chemical formula for table salt.” The Salt Almanac, 8 Nov. 2026, saltalmanac.com/answers/what-is-the-chemical-formula-for-table-salt. Accessed [today's date].
“What is the chemical formula for table salt.” The Salt Almanac. Last modified November 8, 2026. https://saltalmanac.com/answers/what-is-the-chemical-formula-for-table-salt.
Original sources
- Wikipedia. Sodium chloride. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_chloride