Electronegativity Calculator
Select two elements to compare their Pauling electronegativity values, calculate the difference, and determine the bond type.
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Pauling scale: 0.79 (Fr) to 3.98 (F)
ΔEN < 0.4: Nonpolar covalent
0.4 ≤ ΔEN < 1.7: Polar covalent
ΔEN ≥ 1.7: Ionic bond
Result
Pauling Electronegativity (χ)
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Select two elements and click Calculate to compare their electronegativity values.
What is Electronegativity?
Electronegativity is a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons toward itself. The higher an element's electronegativity, the more strongly it pulls shared electrons.
The most widely used scale is the Pauling scale, developed by Linus Pauling in 1932. Fluorine (F) has the highest electronegativity of 3.98, while Francium (Fr) has the lowest at 0.79.
The electronegativity difference (ΔEN) between two bonded atoms determines whether the bond is nonpolar covalent, polar covalent, or ionic.
Bond Types Explained
Nonpolar Covalent
ΔEN < 0.4. Electrons are shared equally or nearly equally. Examples: H₂, O₂, N₂, CH₄.
Polar Covalent
0.4 ≤ ΔEN < 1.7. Electrons are shared unequally, creating partial charges (δ+ and δ−). Examples: H₂O, HCl, NH₃.
Ionic
ΔEN ≥ 1.7. Electrons are transferred from the less electronegative to the more electronegative atom. Examples: NaCl, MgO, CaF₂.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Fluorine the most electronegative element?
Fluorine has the smallest atomic radius among the halogens and the highest effective nuclear charge relative to its electron shells. Its valence electrons are very close to the nucleus and only one electron is needed to complete its outer shell, giving it an extremely strong pull on bonding electrons.
What is the percent ionic character formula?
The Pauling formula for percent ionic character is: % ionic = (1 − e^(−0.25 × ΔEN²)) × 100. A ΔEN of 1.7 corresponds to about 51% ionic character, which is the conventional ionic/covalent boundary.
Do noble gases have electronegativity values?
Most noble gases (He, Ne, Ar) do not have standard Pauling electronegativity values because they rarely form bonds. Kr and Xe have assigned values (3.00 and 2.60) as they can form compounds under special conditions.