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Agrochemicals and fertilisers

Potassium nitrate vs sodium nitrate

Potassium nitrate (KNO3, CAS 7757-79-1) and sodium nitrate (NNaO3, CAS 7631-99-4) are both listed under nitrates and nitrites.

Potassium nitrate has a molar mass of 101.10 g/mol, sodium nitrate 84.99 g/mol.

Measured boiling points are 400 °C for potassium nitrate and 380 °C for sodium nitrate.

Both carry the GHS signal word Danger.

On CompoundList, 390 suppliers list potassium nitrate and 378 suppliers list sodium nitrate.

Data last updated 7 October 2026

Potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate compared side by side
Potassium nitrate chemical structure, KNO3, CAS 7757-79-1
Potassium nitrate
Sodium nitrate chemical structure, NNaO3, CAS 7631-99-4
Sodium nitrate
Identity
Name in our databasePotassium nitrateSodium nitrate
CAS number7757-79-17631-99-4
Molecular formulaKNO3NNaO3
Molar mass101.10 g/mol84.99 g/mol
IUPAC namepotassium nitratesodium nitrate
EC number231-818-8231-554-3
Physical properties
AppearanceColorless, rhombic or trigonal crystalsColorless, trigonal or rhombohedron crystals
Melting point337 °C308 °C
Boiling point400 °C380 °C
Density2.1 g/cm³2.3 g/cm³
SolubilitySol in water, glycerol, slightly sol in alcohol91.2 g/100g water at 25 °C
LogP (octanol/water)Computed from the structure-3.24-3.24
Safety (GHS)
Signal wordDangerDanger
Pictograms
GHS03: Oxidiser
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
GHS03: Oxidiser
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Hazard statements
  • H272 May intensify fire, oxidiser.
  • H315 Causes skin irritation.
  • H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
  • H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
  • H272 May intensify fire, oxidiser.
  • H302 Harmful if swallowed.
  • H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
UN numberUN 1486UN 1498
Uses and classification
Uses and functions
  • Skin conditioning agents
  • Fertilizers and micronutrients
  • Preservatives
  • Agrochemical
  • Cardiovascular drug
  • Fertilizer
  • Skin conditioning agents
  • Fertilizers and micronutrients
  • Preservatives
  • Agrochemical
  • Anti-asthmatic agent
  • Cardiovascular drug
CategoryInorganic chemicals › Nitrates and nitritesInorganic chemicals › Nitrates and nitrites
HS code283421Of potassium310250Sodium nitrate
Market on CompoundList
Suppliers390 suppliers378 suppliers
Supplier countries51 countries, most in India, China, United States54 countries, most in India, United States, China
Price rangeOnly prices set by suppliers who manage their own profilePrice on requestPrice on request

Measured and computed values as shown on each chemical page, plus live listings on CompoundList. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Safety data is a summary, not an SDS.

Potassium nitrate
Sodium nitrate

More comparisons

Other common chemical pairs, compared the same way.