Cell Potential Calculator
Calculate standard cell potential from electrode potentials and identify the electrodes.
About Cell Potential Calculator
Cell potential is the difference between the two electrode potentials, and a positive value means the cell delivers energy. The Daniell-type defaults give 1.10 V, matching a zinc-copper cell. The same electrode pair can form a galvanic or electrolytic cell depending on the direction imposed, and the sign of the potential tells you which happens spontaneously.
Formula
Cell Potential
E°cell = E°cathode − E°anode; ΔG° = −nFE°cell
- cathode
- Where reduction occurs, the more positive electrode
- anode
- Where oxidation occurs
Worked example
With the default values below, Cell Potential Calculator returns Standard Cell Potential of 1.1000. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Cathode standard potentialaccepts -5–5 V
- 0.34 V
- Anode standard potentialaccepts -5–5 V
- -0.76 V
- Electrons transferredaccepts 1–10
- 2
Results
- Standard Cell Potential
- 1.1000 V
- Standard Free Energy Change
- -212.267 kJ/mol
- Equilibrium Constant
- 15,401,729,310,692,788,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.0000
- Maximum Electrical Work
- 212.267 kJ/mol
- Cell Type
- Galvanic — generates electrical energy spontaneously
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2Cell Potential
- 3Standard Cell Potential= 1.1000 V
- 4Standard Free Energy Change= -212.267 kJ/mol
- 5Equilibrium Constant= 15,401,729,310,692,788,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.0000
- 6Maximum Electrical Work= 212.267 kJ/mol
- 7Cell Type= Galvanic — generates electrical energy spontaneously
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
- In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
- Figures are rounded for display to 4 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Cell Potential calculated?
E°cell = E°cathode − E°anode; ΔG° = −nFE°cell Cell potential is the difference between the two electrode potentials, and a positive value means the cell delivers energy. The Daniell-type defaults give 1.10 V, matching a zinc-copper cell.
Why does Cell Potential matter?
The same electrode pair can form a galvanic or electrolytic cell depending on the direction imposed, and the sign of the potential tells you which happens spontaneously.
What values do I need to enter?
This calculator takes 3 inputs: Cathode standard potential, Anode standard potential, Electrons transferred. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.