Free Chromatographic Resolution Calculator

Calculate chromatographic resolution between two adjacent peaks from their retention times and peak widths.

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Resolution (Rs)

1.846

Resolution (Rs) vs Retention Time Peak 1 (tR1)

View formula & how it works →

Chromatographic Resolution

Resolution quantifies how well two adjacent peaks are separated. It combines the effects of selectivity, efficiency, and retention.

Formula

Rs = 2 × (tR2 - tR1) / (w1 + w2)

where tR is retention time and w is peak width at the base (4-sigma width for Gaussian peaks).

  • Rs < 1.0: peaks overlap significantly
  • Rs = 1.0: about 4% overlap
  • Rs = 1.5: baseline separation (< 0.3% overlap)
  • Rs >= 2.0: complete separation

    • Example Calculation

    Two peaks at 5.2 and 5.8 min with base widths of 0.30 and 0.35 min.

    1. 01Rs = 2 × (5.8 - 5.2) / (0.30 + 0.35)
    2. 02Rs = 2 × 0.6 / 0.65 = 1.2 / 0.65 = 1.846
    3. 03Baseline separation achieved (Rs > 1.5)

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