---
title: "Urea Structure (CH4N2O): 3D Model, Formula & Molar Mass | MolDraw"
url: https://www.moldraw.com/molecules/urea.html
description: "Structure of Urea (CH4N2O, 60.06 g/mol): rotatable 3D model, 2D skeletal formula, IUPAC name, SMILES, shape, polarity, uses and FAQ."
lang: en
publisher: Scidart Academy
generated: 2026-10-26
---
[MolDraw](https://www.moldraw.com/) › [3D molecule models](https://www.moldraw.com/molecules/) › Urea structure

# Urea structure and 3D model (CH4N2O)

Urea is a carbonyl group joined to two NH₂ groups. It is the main way mammals get rid of excess nitrogen.

**Quick answer:** Urea is **CH4N2O**, molar mass **60.06 g/mol**. Small and almost flat; very polar and extremely soluble in water.

Atom labels Hydrogens Spin

Drag to rotate · pinch or scroll to zoom. 3D coordinates: computed with RDKit (ETKDG conformer, force-field optimised).

## Urea at a glance

| Formula | CH4N2O |
| --- | --- |
| Molar mass | 60.06 g/mol |
| IUPAC name | urea |
| Atoms / bonds | 8 / 7 |
| H-bond donors / acceptors | 2 / 1 |
| logP (estimated) | -1.0 |
| SMILES | `C(=O)(N)N` |
| InChIKey | `XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N` |
| PubChem | [1176](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1176) |

![2D structural formula of Urea (CH4N2O)](https://www.moldraw.com/molecules/img/urea.svg)

2D structure (skeletal formula) · [Draw it in MolDraw](https://www.moldraw.com/)

## What the 3D model of Urea shows

The model contains **8 atoms** (4 heavy atoms and 4 hydrogens) joined by **7 bonds**; in ball-and-stick mode every stick is one bond, and double or aromatic bonds are drawn as multiple sticks. Switch to *space-filling* to see the molecule as its electron cloud, scaled to van der Waals radii: this is the shape other molecules actually "feel". It can donate 2 and accept 1 hydrogen bonds, and its estimated logP of -1.0 means it is very water-loving (hydrophilic). Its topological polar surface area is 69 Ų.

## Shape and bond angles

| Atom(s) | Geometry / hybridisation | Angles & lengths |
| --- | --- | --- |
| carbon | Trigonal planar, sp² | ≈ 120° (N–C–N about 117°) |
| nitrogens | Near-planar, conjugated with C=O | ≈ 120° |

### Is Urea polar?

Yes, very. The C=O and four N–H bonds make strong hydrogen bonds, and more than 1 kg dissolves in 1 L of water.

## Elemental composition of CH4N2O

| Element | Atoms | Mass (g/mol) | Mass % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Carbon (C) | 1 | 12.011 | 20.00% |
| Hydrogen (H) | 4 | 4.032 | 6.71% |
| Nitrogen (N) | 2 | 28.014 | 46.65% |
| Oxygen (O) | 1 | 15.999 | 26.64% |

Calculated from IUPAC standard atomic weights. Check any formula with the [molar mass calculator](https://www.moldraw.com/tools/free-chem-tools/molar-mass-calculator.html).

## Uses of urea

- The world's most widely used nitrogen fertiliser
- Raw material for urea-formaldehyde resins and glues
- Used in diesel exhaust fluid (AdBlue) to cut NOx emissions

## Interesting facts

- Friedrich Wöhler made urea from ammonium cyanate in 1828, showing an organic compound could come from inorganic starting materials.
- The body makes urea in the liver through the urea cycle.
- Dissolving urea in water absorbs heat, which is why it is used in some instant cold packs.

**Drawing structures for your notes?** MolDraw is a free online chemical structure editor for molecules, reactions and lab diagrams.

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## Frequently asked questions

### What is the structure of Urea?

Urea is a carbonyl group joined to two NH₂ groups. It is the main way mammals get rid of excess nitrogen. Its SMILES is C(=O)(N)N.

### Why is urea so soluble in water?

It is small and has one C=O and four N–H groups, so it fits easily into water's hydrogen-bond network.

### Is urea organic or inorganic?

It is classed as organic. Wöhler's synthesis of it from an inorganic salt helped end the idea that organic compounds needed a living 'vital force'.

### What is the chemical formula and molar mass of Urea?

Urea is CH4N2O with a molar mass of 60.06 g/mol. It contains 8 atoms: 1 carbon, 4 hydrogen, 2 nitrogen, 1 oxygen.

### What is the IUPAC name of Urea?

The IUPAC name is urea.

### How do I draw Urea?

Open the MolDraw editor, paste the SMILES C(=O)(N)N or type "Urea" in name search, and the structure is drawn for you. You can then export it as PNG, SVG, MOL or CDXML.

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