Substance profile
Acetone
Acetone is a colorless volatile liquid with a fruity odor.
01 · Identification
What Acetone is
Acetone is a colorless volatile liquid with a fruity odor. Its molecular formula is C3H6O and its molecular weight is 58.08 g/mol. It boils at 56.1 °C, melts at -94.9 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
02 · Identifiers
Acetone identifiers and molecular data
Acetone CAS number and EC number
Acetone molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Acetone
- propanone
- dimethyl ketone
- 2-propanone
- Beta-Ketopropane
- Dimethylformaldehyde
- Dimethylketal
- Ketone Propane
- Ketone, Dimethyl
- Methyl Ketone
- Pyroacetic Acid
- Pyroacetic Ether
- Chevron Acetone
- propan-2-one
03 · GHS classification
Acetone hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Acetone pictograms and signal word
Acetone hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 2 | H225 | GHS02 |
| Serious eye damage/eye irritation GHS chapter 3.3 | Category 2A | H319 | GHS07 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 | Category 3 narcotic | H336 | GHS07 |
Acetone hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
Acetone supplemental EU statements (EUH)
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| EUH066 | Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Acetone. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Acetone
Our own Acetone safety data sheet walks through all sixteen sections of the published data. What it is not is the document an inspector asks for: an SDS is issued for a product by its supplier, so the sheet covering the grade actually standing in your store exists only in that supplier’s version. Collecting those and keeping them current as suppliers revise them is a separate job.
04 · Precautionary statements
Acetone precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 11 precautionary statements to Acetone. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Acetone name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | ацетон пропан-2-онпропанон |
| Spanish español | Acetona propan-2-onapropanona |
| Czech čeština | aceton propan-2-onpropanon |
| Danish dansk | acetone propan-2-onpropanon |
| German Deutsch | Aceton Propan-2-onPropanon |
| Estonian eesti | atsetoon propaan-2-oonpropanoon |
| Greek ελληνικά | ακετόνη προπαν-2-όνηπροπανόνη |
| English English | acetone propan-2-onepropanone |
| French français | acétone propan-2-onepropanone |
| Croatian hrvatski | aceton propan-2-onpropanon |
| Italian italiano | acetone 2-propanonepropanone |
| Latvian latviešu | acetons propān-2-onspropanons |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | acetonas propan-2-onaspropanonas |
| Hungarian magyar | aceton propan-2-onpropanon |
| Maltese Malti | aċetun propan-2-onpropanon |
| Dutch Nederlands | aceton propaan-2-onpropanon |
| Polish polski | aceton propan-2-onpropanonketon dimetylowy |
| Portuguese português | acetona propan-2-onapropanona |
| Romanian română | acetonă propan-2-onăpropanonă |
| Slovak slovenčina | acetón propán-2-ónpropanón |
| Slovenian slovenščina | aceton propan-2-onpropanon |
| Finnish suomi | asetoni propan-2-onipropanoni |
| Swedish svenska | aceton propan-2-onpropanon |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Acetone GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Acetone, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Acetone
- Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
- May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- Causes serious eye irritation.
- Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.
- Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- Keep container tightly closed.
- Use explosion-proof [electrical/ventilating/lighting/…] equipment.
- Use only non-sparking tools.
- Wash … thoroughly after handling.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF IN EYES:
- Get medical advice/attention.
- If eye irritation persists:
- Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Acetone in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Acetone health hazards and exposure limits
Acetone hazard summary
Acetone is a manufactured chemical that is also found naturally in the environment. It is a colorless liquid with a distinct smell and taste. It evaporates easily, is flammable, and dissolves in water. It is also called dimethyl ketone, 2-propanone, and beta-ketopropane. Acetone is used to make plastic, fibers, drugs, and other chemicals. It is also used to dissolve other substances. It occurs naturally in plants, trees, volcanic gases, forest fires, and as a product of the breakdown of body fat. It is present in vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, and landfill sites. Industrial processes contribute more acetone to the environment than natural processes.
Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Acetone carcinogenicity classification
Cancer Classification: Group D Not Classifiable as to Human Carcinogenicity
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
CLASSIFICATION: D; not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity. BASIS FOR CLASSIFICATION: Based on lack of data concerning carcinogenicity in humans or animals. HUMAN CARCINOGENICITY DATA: None. ANIMAL CARCINOGENICITY DATA: None.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
Acetone occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 1000.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 1000 ppm (2400 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 1000 ppm (2400 mg/m3) See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 250 ppm (590 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 250 ppm (590 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 2500 ppm ; Based on 10% of the lower explosive limit. (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 2500.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | 2500 ppm (10% LEL) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Acetone properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Acetone boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 56.08 °C (132.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| 56.11 °C (133 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 56.11 °C (133 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Acetone melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -94.9 °C (-138.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| -95.56 °C (-140 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -93.89 °C (-137 °F) | CAMEO |
Acetone density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.79 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.7845 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.791 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
Acetone solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Miscible with water | HSDB | |
| Miscible with benzene | HSDB | ||
| Miscible with alcohol, dimethylformamide, ether | HSDB |
Acetone vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 180 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 180 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 231 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Acetone flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | -16.99 °C (1.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| -20 °C (-4 °F) | Closed cup | HSDB | |
| -17.78 °C (0 °F) | HSDB |
Acetone autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 465 °C (869 °F) | HSDB |
Acetone lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2.5 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 2.6 % by volume | HSDB |
Acetone upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 12.8 % by volume | HSDB |
Acetone vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 2 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Acetone odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | Water: 20 mg/L (or 20 ppm, w/v); air: 13 uL/L (or 13 ppm, v/v). | HSDB | |
| Odor low: 47.5 mg/cu m; Odor high: 1613.9 mg/cu m | HSDB | ||
| Odor Threshold Low: 3.6 [ppm] | Haz-Map |
Acetone critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 234.95 °C (454.9 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Acetone fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Acetone fire potential
Highly flammable liquid. Dangerous disaster hazard due to fire and explosion hazard ...
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Acetone storage and handling
Acetone reactive group
CAMEO Chemicals places Acetone in the reactive group Ketones. Compatibility with other chemicals is worked out from the group, not from the individual substance — which is why two substances you have never seen react can still be flagged as a pair that must be separated.
A reactive group is a CAMEO Chemicals (US NOAA) grouping, not a GHS hazard class: it has no code, no category and no legal force. It is what the storage compatibility matrix on this site computes from.
Acetone safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from : see Chemical Dangers. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Acetone storage conditions
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities: Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Storage class (TRGS 510): Flammable liquids
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Acetone incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Bases, Oxidizing agents, Reducing agents, Acetone reacts violently with phosphorous oxychloride.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Acetone reactivity
It was reported that a mixture of ACETONE and chloroform, in a residue bottle, exploded. Since addition of acetone to chloroform in the presence of base will result in a highly exothermic reaction, it is thought that a base was in the bottle [MCA Case History 1661. 1970]. Also, Nitrosyl chloride, sealed in a tube with a residue of acetone in the presence of platinum catalyst, gave an explosive reaction [Chem. Eng. News 35(43):60. 1967]. The reaction of nitrosyl perchlorate and acetone ignites and explodes. Explosions occur with mixtures of nitrosyl perchlorate and primary amine [Ann. Chem. 42:2031. 1909]. Reacts violently with nitric acid. Also causes exothermic reaction when in contact with aldehydes.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Acetone in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Acetone UN number and transport classification
Transport classification is a separate system from the GHS classification above. It decides how a package is marked and how a load may be carried; it does not follow from the workplace label, and the workplace label does not follow from it. The entries below are linked by CAS number, never by name.
Acetone under UN 1090 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACETONE | 3 | F1 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 3 is “Flammable liquids” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetone | 3 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 3 is “Flammable and combustible liquid” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
Acetone — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Acetone?
The CAS number of Acetone is 67-64-1. Its EC number is 200-662-2.
What is the chemical formula of Acetone?
The molecular formula of Acetone is C3H6O and its molecular weight is 58.08 g/mol.
What does a Acetone label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Acetone carries the pictograms Flame and Exclamation mark and the signal word is Danger.
Is Acetone flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Acetone H225 — highly flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is -16.99 °C (1.4 °F) (HSDB).
Is Acetone a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Acetone. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the exposure limit for Acetone?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Acetone is 1000.0 [ppm] (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Acetone?
The boiling point reported for Acetone is 56.08 °C (132.9 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Acetone?
The melting point reported for Acetone is -94.9 °C (-138.8 °F) (HSDB).
How should Acetone be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Acetone the storage statement P403. Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities: Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Storage class (TRGS 510): Flammable liquids (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Acetone
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