Phosphoric Acid

Buy food grade, ACS, lab and electronic grade phosphoric acid, from 85% concentrate to ready to use dilutions, in stock now.

Buy phosphoric acid online at the strength and grade you actually need, with the price right on the page. No quote form, no waiting on a callback. Most people come here for 85%. We have it in FCC Food Grade, which is Kosher and Halal certified, plus ACS Grade for lab methods, Lab Grade for rust conversion and general use, and Semiconductor Grade for electronics. Want it weaker? There's 75%, 35%, 30%, 25% and 10%, along with a 1.0 molar standard.

Each product has its SDS and COA posted, so food safety or QA can check the specs first. Sizes go from 500 mL bottles up to 55 gallon drums, and some items come in 270 gallon totes for plants that go through a lot of it.

256,000+ customers served

99.5% of orders ship in 1–2 business days

98.9% inventory accuracy

SDS + COA available online, every product

For Fertilizers, Detergents, And Many Household Cleaning Products

Phosphoric Acid - 13 products

About Phosphoric Acid

H3PO4, sometimes called orthophosphoric acid. At 85% it's a clear, odorless, thick liquid, almost like syrup, and it weighs about 1.69 g/mL. It's a weak acid, but it has three protons to give up instead of one, which is exactly why it's so handy for buffers. The first pKa is around 2.1. It doesn't fume, it doesn't oxidize, and it won't burn. Still, 85% acid will burn skin and eyes, so treat it with respect. One odd habit: left somewhere cold for a while, concentrated phosphoric acid can start to crystallize.

COMMON APPLICATIONS

That tangy bite in cola, pH control in food and drinks, rust removal and rust conversion on steel, metal cleaning and pretreatment before paint, dental etching, pH adjustment in skin care, phosphate buffers and HPLC mobile phases, fertilizer production, and cleaning and descaling equipment in dairies and breweries.

GRADES EXPLAINED

FCC Food Grade is the pick for food, beverages and anything people ingest. ACS Grade fits analytical and research methods. Lab Grade costs less for rust removal, cleaning and general use. Semiconductor Grade holds metals down for electronics and etching.

TYPES & GRADES AT A GLANCE

FCC Food Grade (Kosher, Halal)

85%, 75%, 30% and 25%, all Kosher and Halal certified, for food, beverage and dairy use.

ACS Grade

85% tested to ACS limits, with a very low iron and heavy metal spec, for analysis and research.

Lab Grade

85% and 75% concentrates at a friendlier price, good for rust conversion, cleaning and general lab use.

Semiconductor/Electronic Grade

85% with tight metal limits for etching and electronics production.

WHY BUY FROM LAB ALLEY

256,000+ customers already order their acids from Lab Alley. 99.5% of orders ship within 1 to 2 business days, and 98.9% inventory accuracy means the grade and strength you see in stock is the grade and strength that ships. SDS and COA are available online for every phosphoric acid product, and our FCC Food Grade phosphoric acid at 85%, 75%, 30% and 25% carries Kosher and Halal certification; check each product page for which applies.

Related: See the Citric Acid and Sulfuric Acid collections, or browse all Acids.

Phosphoric Acid 85% Solution, Food Grade (FCC), Kosher, Halal View product →

Phosphoric Acid 85% Solution, ACS Grade View product →

Phosphoric Acid 85% Solution, Lab Grade View product →

Phosphoric Acid 75% Solution, Food Grade (FCC), Kosher, Halal View product →

Phosphoric Acid 85% Semiconductor/Electronic Grade View product →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy phosphoric acid online?

Here. We sell phosphoric acid in food, ACS, lab and electronic grades, from 85% concentrate down to 10%. Pick a size, see the price, check out. No quote required. Most in stock orders leave our warehouse in 1 to 2 business days, whether you want a 500 mL bottle or a 55 gallon drum.

Food grade vs ACS vs lab grade: which is which?

Think about where it's going. FCC Food Grade meets the Food Chemicals Codex, and ours is Kosher and Halal, so it's the one for anything edible. ACS Grade is tested for analytical work, with very low iron, chloride and heavy metals. Lab Grade is solid everyday acid without a formal standard, and it's the cheaper option for cleaning and rust work.

What does 85% phosphoric acid mean?

It's 85% H3PO4 by weight and 15% water. That works out to roughly 14.6 molar. Because phosphoric acid has three acidic protons, its normality can be up to three times its molarity, depending on how far a titration goes. That's why the 1.0 M solution on this page is labeled by molarity, not normality.

Which phosphoric acid is Kosher or Halal?

Four products, all FCC Food Grade: the 85%, 75%, 30% and 25% solutions. Each one is Kosher and Halal certified. The ACS, Lab, Semiconductor and Analytical Reagent grades, the 1.0 M standard, the acid mix and the meta-phosphoric acid are not food grade and don't carry those certifications.

Is a permit needed, and will it ship to a home address?

No permit. Concentrated phosphoric acid does ship as a corrosive, UN1805, Class 8, Packing Group III, which is the mildest corrosive group. Plan on a business, lab or school address for the concentrates. Shipping details are on each product page, and our team at 512-668-9918 can help if you're unsure.

Which phosphoric acid works for rust removal?

For rust conversion or metal prep, most people use 85% Lab Grade and dilute it to suit the job. It turns red iron oxide into a darker iron phosphate layer that's easier to scrub off and paint over. Wear gloves and goggles. If the part touches food or drink afterward, the FCC Food Grade is the safer pick.

Phosphoric acid or citric acid?

Both are weak acids used in food and cleaning. Phosphoric acid is stronger and sharper tasting, which is why cola uses it, and it's better at dissolving rust and mineral scale. <a href="https://www.laballey.com/chemicals/acids/citric-acid">Citric acid</a> is gentler, has a fruity sourness and chelates metals, so it's popular in fruit flavored drinks and softer cleaners. Many food makers keep both on hand.

Can I buy phosphoric acid in bulk?

Yes. Most grades come in 5 gallon pails and 55 gallon drums, there's a 15 gallon option on some items, and select products ship in 270 gallon totes. For pallets or scheduled deliveries, ask <a href="https://www.laballey.com/bulk-and-custom-chemicals">Bulk & Custom Chemicals</a> for a quote. <a href="https://www.laballey.com/pages/autoship">Autoship</a> takes 10% off eligible repeat orders.

Guides & Resources

How to Store Phosphoric Acid

Learn how to safely store phosphoric acid. Discover best practices for storage, handling, and labeling to maintain quality, prevent contamination, and ensure compliance.

Read article →

Phosphoric Acid Overview

Discover the key properties and uses of phosphoric acid. Understand how this organic solvent supports food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical production with safe handling practices.

Read article →

Types of Phosphoric Acid

What are the different types of phosphoric acid? Learn the differences between food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical grades, plus their key applications.

Read article →

Phosphoric Acid Uses & Applications

Learn about phosphoric acid grades, purities, and packaging options for food, pharmaceutical, and industrial use. Explore specifications, testing standards, and bulk availability to find the right phosphoric acid for your operation.

Read article →

Industries That Use Phosphoric Acid

Food & Beverage

Explore food-grade chemicals for food and beverage production, including ethanol, citric acid, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and preservatives.

Learn more →

Manufacturing & Industrial

Explore high-purity chemicals for manufacturing and industrial applications, including acetone, heptane, sulfuric acid, solvents, and more.

Learn more →

R&D & Laboratory

Explore high-purity chemicals for research, development, and testing, including nitric acid, acetone, dichloromethane, ethanol, and more.

Learn more →

Personal Care & Cosmetics

Explore high-quality chemicals and ingredients for personal care and cosmetics, including glycolic acid, ethanol, and denatured alcohol for formulations.

Learn more →