Substance profile
Methane
Methane is a colorless gas and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Methane is
Methane is a colorless gas and is odorless. Its molecular formula is CH4 and its molecular weight is 16.043 g/mol. It boils at -161 °C, melts at -183 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 4th degree.
02 · Identifiers
Methane identifiers and molecular data
Methane CAS number and EC number
Methane molecular formula and molecular weight
03 · GHS classification
Methane hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Methane pictograms and signal word
Methane hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable gases GHS chapter 2.2 | Category 1A | H220 | GHS02 |
Methane hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H220 | Extremely flammable gas. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Methane. 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 Methane
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of Methane issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
Methane precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 3 precautionary statements to Methane. 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.
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
Methane 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 | метан |
| Spanish español | Metano |
| Czech čeština | methan |
| Danish dansk | methan |
| German Deutsch | Methan |
| Estonian eesti | metaan |
| Greek ελληνικά | μεθάνιο |
| English English | methane |
| French français | méthane |
| Croatian hrvatski | metan |
| Italian italiano | metano |
| Latvian latviešu | metāns |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | metanas |
| Hungarian magyar | metán |
| Maltese Malti | metan |
| Dutch Nederlands | methaan |
| Polish polski | metan |
| Portuguese português | metano |
| Romanian română | metan |
| Slovak slovenčina | metán |
| Slovenian slovenščina | metan |
| Finnish suomi | metaani |
| Swedish svenska | metan |
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
Methane GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Methane, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Methane
- Extremely flammable gas.
- Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- Keep container tightly closed.
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Methane in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Methane health hazards and exposure limits
Methane hazard summary
The Critical Effects for aliphatic hydrocarbon gases are CNS depression and cardiac sensitization. From a toxicologic standpoint, methane and ethane are practically inert; however, at very high concentrations, they act as a simple asphyxiant and can cause suffocation by displacement of oxygen from breathing atmosphere, below the critical level of 16% oxygen that is required to sustain life. [ACGIH] Simple asphyxiant; Evaporating liquid can cause frostbite; [ICSC]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Methane 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.
Methane boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | -161.5 °C (-258.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| -161.11 °C (-258 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| -161.5 °C (-258.7 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Methane melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -182.57 °C (-296.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -182.22 °C (-296 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| -182.5 °C (-296.5 °F) | CAMEO |
Methane density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.422 g/cm³ | at -160 °C | CAMEO |
| 0.4228 g/cm³ | at -162 °C | DOE PAC | |
| 0.4325 g/cm³ | range, midpoint shown, at -162 °C | CAMEO |
Methane solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in acetone; soluble in ethanol, ethyl ether, benzene, toluene, methanol | HSDB | |
| 0.91 mL in 1 g ether at 20 °C; 0.60 mL in 1 g ethyl alcohol at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| In water, 22 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Methane vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 466000 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 258600 mmHg | at 37.78 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.0075 mmHg | at -220 °C | HSDB |
Methane flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | -188 °C (-306.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| -187.78 °C (-306 °F) | CAMEO |
Methane autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 537.22 °C (999 °F) | HSDB | |
| 540 °C (1004 °F) | CAMEO |
Methane lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 5.3 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 5 % by volume | CAMEO |
Methane upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 14 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 15 % by volume | CAMEO |
Methane vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 0.55 (air = 1) | CAMEO | |
| 0.6 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| 0.554 (air = 1) | at 0 °C | HSDB |
Methane critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | -82.25 °C (-116 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Methane 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.
Methane fire potential
Very dangerous fire and explosion hazard when exposed to heat or flame.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Methane storage and handling
Methane safe storage
Fireproof. Cool. Ventilation along the floor and ceiling.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Methane storage conditions
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from halogens and oxygen. Outside or detached storage is preferred.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Methane incompatible materials
... Reacts with chlorine and bromine in light (explosively in direct sunlight)
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Methane reactivity
Contact of very cold liquefied gas with water may result in vigorous or violent boiling of the product and extremely rapid vaporization due to the large temperature differences involved. If the water is hot, there is the possibility that a liquid "superheat" explosion may occur. Pressures may build to dangerous levels if liquid gas contacts water in a closed container [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Methane in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Methane 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.
The same CAS number is shipped under more than one UN number. Which entry applies follows from the form and the concentration of the consignment — read the proper shipping name, not the CAS.
Methane under UN 1971 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| METHANE, COMPRESSED or NATURAL GAS, COMPRESSED with high methane content | 2 | 1F | — | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 2 is “Gases” (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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methane, compressed or Natural gas, compressed (with high methane content) | 2.1 | — | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 2.1 is “Flammable gas” (49 CFR 173.2).
Methane under UN 1972 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| METHANE, REFRIGERATED LIQUID or NATURAL GAS, REFRIGERATED LIQUID with high methane content | 2 | 3F | — | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 2 is “Gases” (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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methane, refrigerated liquid (cryogenic liquid) or Natural gas, refrigerated liquid (cryogenic liquid, with high methane content) | 2.1 | — | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 2.1 is “Flammable gas” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
Methane — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Methane?
The CAS number of Methane is 74-82-8. Its EC number is 200-812-7.
What is the chemical formula of Methane?
The molecular formula of Methane is CH4 and its molecular weight is 16.043 g/mol.
What does a Methane label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Methane carries the pictograms Flame and Gas cylinder and the signal word is Danger.
Is Methane flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Methane H220 — extremely flammable gas. The flash point reported for it is -188 °C (-306.4 °F) (HSDB).
Is Methane a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Methane. 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 boiling point of Methane?
The boiling point reported for Methane is -161.5 °C (-258.7 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Methane?
The melting point reported for Methane is -182.57 °C (-296.6 °F) (HSDB).
How should Methane be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Methane the storage statement P403. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from halogens and oxygen. Outside or detached storage is preferred. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Methane
Keep going: substances starting with M, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.