Chemistry Sim · pH Scale

Compare substances on the pH scale.

Click any substance to see where it lands. Drag the slider to explore any pH value and watch the universal indicator color change.

pH Scale

0 = most acidic, 7 = neutral, 14 = most basic. Click a substance or drag the slider.

0 Acidic 7 Neutral 14 Basic
Digital pH Meter
7.00
Neutral

Controls

Explore pH values and see how universal indicator responds.

Universal Indicator Colors

Red
Strong acid
Orange/Yellow
Weak acid
Green
Neutral
Blue
Weak base
Purple
Strong base

What does pH actually measure?

pH measures the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in a solution. Lower pH means more H⁺ ions — more acidic. Higher pH means fewer H⁺ ions and more OH⁻ ions — more basic. Each whole number change represents a 10× difference in concentration.

Why does universal indicator change color?

Universal indicator is a mixture of dyes that change color at different pH values. In strong acid it's red, in strong base it's purple, and at neutral pH it's green. It's like a chemical rainbow that tells you the exact acidity.

Check yourself

pH scale quiz