Respiratory Quotient from Oxygen and CO₂ Calculator
🌿 Photosynthesis & respiration. Use the Respiratory quotient from oxygen and CO₂ formula to find respiratory quotient, co₂ made, o₂ used: pick the value you want, type the others, and the answer updates as you go.
Pick the ○ next to the value you want to find, fill in the others, and it solves as you type.
What each letter means
| Quantity | Unit |
|---|---|
| Respiratory quotient | no unit |
| CO₂ made | cm³ |
| O₂ used | cm³ |
Worked example
Find the respiratory quotient when CO₂ made = 14 cm³, O₂ used = 20 cm³.
Using RQ = (volume of CO2 made)/(volume of O2 used): Respiratory quotient = 0.7.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for Respiratory quotient from oxygen and CO₂?
RQ = (volume of CO2 made)/(volume of O2 used).
What do the letters stand for, and what units are used?
Respiratory quotient, CO₂ made in cm³, O₂ used in cm³.
How do you calculate respiratory quotient?
Put the values into RQ = (volume of CO2 made)/(volume of O2 used). For example, with CO₂ made = 14 cm³, O₂ used = 20 cm³, respiratory quotient = 0.7.
Can I solve for a different value?
Yes. In the calculator above, pick the circle next to any value (respiratory quotient, co₂ made, o₂ used) and fill in the others: it rearranges the formula for you.
