Describe any molecule or atom and get a clean, labeled Lewis dot structure in seconds, with bonding pairs, lone pairs, and formal charges shown correctly. Water, CO2, methane, ammonia, and more.
Browse Lewis structures made with Figviz, or generate your own above
H2O with two single O-H bonds and two lone pairs on the central oxygen atom, satisfying the octet rule.
CO2 with two C=O double bonds and lone pairs on each oxygen, a classic example of double bonding.
CH4 with four single C-H bonds around a central carbon and no lone pairs, a simple octet example.
NH3 with three N-H bonds and a lone pair on nitrogen, illustrating how lone pairs affect molecular geometry.
A side-by-side chart of Period 2 electron dot symbols showing how valence electron count increases across the period.
Na to Cl electron transfer diagram showing how a sodium atom loses one electron to chlorine, forming Na+ and Cl- ions.
Start with one of these examples, then adapt the subject, labels, data, or layout for your own use.
H2O with two single O-H bonds and two lone pairs on the central oxygen atom, satisfying the octet rule.
Draw the Lewis dot structure of water (H2O). Show the central oxygen atom with two O-H single bonds drawn as lines, two lone pairs of dots on oxygen, and one hydrogen on each side with no lone pairs. Label the lone pairs and bond pairs. Classic textbook style, clean atom symbols. White background.
CO2 with two C=O double bonds and lone pairs on each oxygen, a classic example of double bonding.
Draw the Lewis dot structure of carbon dioxide (CO2). Show the central carbon atom with a double bond (two lines) to each oxygen, two lone pairs on each oxygen atom, and no lone pairs on carbon. Label the double bonds and lone pairs. Classic textbook style, correct atom symbols. White background.
CH4 with four single C-H bonds around a central carbon and no lone pairs, a simple octet example.
Draw the Lewis dot structure of methane (CH4). Show the central carbon atom with four single bonds (lines) to four hydrogen atoms arranged symmetrically, no lone pairs on carbon or hydrogen, and all four bonding pairs labeled. Classic textbook style, clean layout. White background.
NH3 with three N-H bonds and a lone pair on nitrogen, illustrating how lone pairs affect molecular geometry.
Draw the Lewis dot structure of ammonia (NH3). Show the central nitrogen atom with three single bonds to hydrogen atoms and one lone pair of dots on top of nitrogen. Label the lone pair and the three bonding pairs. Colorful style with nitrogen highlighted in blue. White background.
A Lewis dot structure (also called an electron dot structure or Lewis structure) is a diagram that shows how valence electrons are arranged around atoms in a molecule. Dots represent lone pair electrons, and lines between atoms represent shared bonding pairs. First proposed by Gilbert N. Lewis in 1916, these diagrams are a foundation of general chemistry because they reveal molecular geometry, polarity, bond order, and whether the octet rule is satisfied. Figviz builds the diagram from a plain description of the molecule, so you get a clean, labeled structure without drawing it by hand.
Always count valence electrons first and keep a running tally as you place them. The octet rule applies to period 2 elements (C, N, O, F) without exception, but period 3 and beyond can hold more than eight electrons (expanded octet). Hydrogen always takes exactly two electrons and is never the central atom. When a structure has multiple valid arrangements, compare formal charges: the best structure minimizes formal charge magnitudes and places negative formal charge on the most electronegative atom. Use Figviz to visualize each candidate structure and compare them side by side.
Create a free account and get starter credits to generate your own. No credit card required.