Science, Tech, Math › Science Percent Composition Definition Print Anawat Sudchanham / EyeEm / Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on August 11, 2019 Percent composition is the percentage by mass of each element in a compound. Example: The percent composition of water is 20% hydrogen and 80% oxygen. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Percent Composition Definition." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-percent-composition-605490. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 28). Percent Composition Definition. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-percent-composition-605490 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Percent Composition Definition." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-percent-composition-605490 (accessed March 29, 2024). copy citation