How do I draw a Lewis structure?

Count the total valence electrons, pick the central atom (usually least electronegative, never hydrogen), connect atoms with single bonds, distribute lone pairs to outer atoms first, then convert lone pairs to double or triple bonds if any atom still lacks an octet. Check formal charges to find the best arrangement. Figviz handles all of this from a plain description.

Is the Lewis dot structure generator free?

Yes. You can generate Lewis dot structures on the free credits every account starts with. Buying any pay-as-you-go credit pack removes the watermark and unlocks higher resolutions. Credits never expire.

What is the octet rule?

The octet rule states that atoms in a molecule tend to bond until they are surrounded by eight valence electrons (four pairs), matching the electron configuration of a noble gas. Hydrogen is the main exception: it needs only two electrons (a duet). Period 3 elements like sulfur and phosphorus can exceed eight electrons with an expanded octet.

Can it show lone pairs and double bonds?

Yes. Figviz draws lone pairs as dot pairs on each atom and represents double and triple bonds as two or three lines between atoms. You can ask for any molecule and specify which features to highlight, such as the lone pair on nitrogen in ammonia or the double bonds in CO2.

Can I use it for chemistry class?

Yes. Download a high-resolution PNG (up to 4K) for slides, printed worksheets, and study guides. As an AI tool it is ideal for practice and teaching visualization; always verify the structure against your textbook for high-stakes use. Diagrams from a paid account can be used in your own teaching materials.

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Lewis Dot Structure Generator Lewis Dot Structures

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.

Last updated: 2026-06-21

✓Bonds and lone pairs✓Single, double, and triple bonds✓Formal charge labels✓Print and slide ready

Lewis Dot Structure Generator

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Lewis Dot Structure Examples

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Water (H2O) Lewis Structure

H2O with two single O-H bonds and two lone pairs on the central oxygen atom, satisfying the octet rule.

waterlone pairssingle bonds

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Lewis Structure

CO2 with two C=O double bonds and lone pairs on each oxygen, a classic example of double bonding.

CO2double bondslinear

Methane (CH4) Lewis Structure

CH4 with four single C-H bonds around a central carbon and no lone pairs, a simple octet example.

methanesingle bondstetrahedral

Ammonia (NH3) with Lone Pair

NH3 with three N-H bonds and a lone pair on nitrogen, illustrating how lone pairs affect molecular geometry.

ammonialone pairnitrogen

Electron Dot Symbols: Period 2 Atoms

A side-by-side chart of Period 2 electron dot symbols showing how valence electron count increases across the period.

electron dotvalence electronsperiod 2

NaCl Ionic Electron Transfer

Na to Cl electron transfer diagram showing how a sodium atom loses one electron to chlorine, forming Na+ and Cl- ions.

ionic bondNaClelectron transfer

What is a Lewis dot structure?

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.

How to draw a Lewis dot structure

Count the total valence electrons for all atoms in the molecule (group number = valence electrons for main-group elements).

Identify the central atom: usually the least electronegative atom that is not hydrogen.

Connect all atoms to the central atom with single bonds, using two electrons per bond.

Distribute remaining electrons as lone pairs, filling outer atoms first to satisfy the octet rule.

If any atom still lacks an octet, form double or triple bonds by converting lone pairs into bonding pairs.

Verify by calculating formal charge on each atom: formal charge = valence electrons minus lone electrons minus half the bonding electrons.

Common molecules and what they show

Water (H2O): bent shape, two lone pairs on oxygen, teaches molecular geometry.

Carbon dioxide (CO2): linear, two C=O double bonds, zero lone pairs on carbon.

Methane (CH4): tetrahedral, four single bonds, no lone pairs, perfect octet example.

Ammonia (NH3): trigonal pyramidal, one lone pair on nitrogen, important for VSEPR.

Oxygen (O2): double bond plus lone pairs, formal charge is zero on both atoms.

NaCl: ionic diagram showing electron transfer rather than covalent sharing.

Tips for accurate Lewis structures

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.

Frequently asked questions

A Lewis dot structure generator is a tool that draws electron dot diagrams for molecules and atoms. With Figviz you describe the molecule (for example water H2O or ammonia NH3), and the AI produces a clean, labeled diagram showing bonding pairs, lone pairs, and bond order in seconds, without any drawing software.

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