Substance profile
Propane
Propane is a colorless gas [Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas] and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Propane is
Propane is a colorless gas [Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas] and is odorless. It boils at -42.1 °C, melts at -188 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 4th degree.
02 · Identifiers
Propane identifiers and molecular data
Propane CAS number and EC number
Propane molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Propane
- LPG
- C3H8
- Bottled Gas
- Dimethyl Methane
- Dimethylmethane
- Hc 290
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas
- N-Propane
- Propyl Hydride
- R 290
03 · GHS classification
Propane hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Propane pictograms and signal word
Propane hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable gases GHS chapter 2.2 | Category 1A | H220 | GHS02 |
Propane hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H220 | Extremely flammable gas. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Propane. 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 Propane
Our own Propane 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
Propane precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 3 precautionary statements to Propane. 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
Propane 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 | пропан |
| Spanish español | Propano |
| Czech čeština | propan |
| Danish dansk | propan |
| German Deutsch | Propan |
| Estonian eesti | propaan |
| Greek ελληνικά | προπάνιο |
| English English | propane |
| French français | propane |
| Croatian hrvatski | propan |
| Italian italiano | propano |
| Latvian latviešu | propāns |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | propanas |
| Hungarian magyar | propán |
| Maltese Malti | propan |
| Dutch Nederlands | propaan |
| Polish polski | propan |
| Portuguese português | propano |
| Romanian română | propan |
| Slovak slovenčina | propán |
| Slovenian slovenščina | propan |
| Finnish suomi | propaani |
| Swedish svenska | propan |
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
Propane GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Propane, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Propane
- 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 Propane in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Propane health hazards and exposure limits
Propane hazard summary
Propane is a simple asphyxiant. [LaDou, p. 558] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] Critical Effects for aliphatic hydrocarbon gases are CNS depression; cardiac sensitization; [ACGIH] Propane is in the list of Some volatile substances which may be abused by inhalation published on the web site of the U.N. International Drug Control Programme, indicating its potential to cause narcosis in workers. [Reference #1] Evaporating liquid can cause frostbite; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression and cardiac arrhythmias; [ICSC]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Propane occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 1000.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 1000 ppm (1800 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 1000 ppm (1800 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 1000 ppm (1800 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 1000 ppm (1800 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 2100 ppm ; Based on 10% of the lower explosive limit. (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 2100.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | 2100 ppm | 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
Propane 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.
Propane boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | -42.1 °C (-43.8 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| -42.22 °C (-44 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -42.11 °C (-43.8 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Propane melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -187.6 °C (-305.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| -187.78 °C (-306 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -187.72 °C (-305.9 °F) | CAMEO |
Propane density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.5 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 0.493 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Propane solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in acetone; soluble in ethanol; very soluble in ethyl ether, benzene, chloroform | HSDB | |
| 0.01% | NIOSH | ||
| In water, 62.4 ppm at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Propane vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 9823 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 6384 mmHg | at 21.11 °C | NIOSH | |
| 7150 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Propane flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | -104.44 °C (-156 °F) | HSDB | |
| -104 °C (-155.2 °F) | ICSC |
Propane autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 450 °C (842 °F) | HSDB |
Propane lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2.1 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 2.37 % by volume | HSDB |
Propane upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 9.5 % by volume | HSDB |
Propane vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 1.5 (air = 1) | CAMEO | |
| 1.6 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| 1.55 (air = 1) | OSHA |
Propane odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 5,000-20,000 PPM | HSDB | |
| WATER: 1.0 MG/L; AIR: 16,000 UL/L; ODOR SAFETY CLASS C; C= LESS THAN 50% OF DISTRACTED PERSONS PERCEIVE WARNING OF TLV. | HSDB | ||
| Recognition threshold values: 36,000 mg/cu m; 22,000 mg/cu m; odor index at 20 °C= 425 | at 20 °C | HSDB |
Propane critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 96.81 °C (206.3 °F) | HSDB |
Propane corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Non-corrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Propane 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.
Propane fire potential
Highly dangerous when exposed to heat, flame ... .
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Propane storage and handling
Propane reactive group
CAMEO Chemicals places Propane in the reactive group Hydrocarbons, Aliphatic Saturated. 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.
Propane safe storage
Fireproof. Cool.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Propane storage conditions
COMPRESSED GASES MAY BE STORED IN THE OPEN ONLY IF THEY ARE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED FROM THE WEATHER & DIRECT SUNLIGHT. STORAGE AREAS SHOULD BE LOCATED AT A SAFE DISTANCE FROM OCCUPIED PREMISES & NEIGHBORING DWELLINGS. /GASES & AIR, COMPRESSED/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Propane incompatible materials
... Can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. Explosive reaction with chlorine dioxide.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Propane reactivity
PROPANE is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Propane in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Propane 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.
Propane under UN 1978 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PROPANE | 2 | 2F | — | |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Propane, see also Petroleum gases, liquefied | 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
Propane — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Propane?
The CAS number of Propane is 74-98-6. Its EC number is 200-827-9.
What does a Propane label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Propane carries the pictograms Flame and Gas cylinder and the signal word is Danger.
Is Propane flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Propane H220 — extremely flammable gas. The flash point reported for it is -104.44 °C (-156 °F) (HSDB).
Is Propane a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Propane. 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 Propane?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Propane 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 Propane?
The boiling point reported for Propane is -42.1 °C (-43.8 °F), at 760 mmHg (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Propane?
The melting point reported for Propane is -187.6 °C (-305.7 °F) (HSDB).
How should Propane be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Propane the storage statement P403. COMPRESSED GASES MAY BE STORED IN THE OPEN ONLY IF THEY ARE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED FROM THE WEATHER & DIRECT SUNLIGHT. STORAGE AREAS SHOULD BE LOCATED AT A SAFE DISTANCE FROM OCCUPIED PREMISES & NEIGHBORING DWELLINGS. /GASES & AIR, COMPRESSED/ (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Propane
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