How do I draw a TLC plate diagram online?

Use the MolDraw TLC diagram tool to set the plate title, solvent system, stationary phase, lanes, spot positions, colors, and Rf labels. The preview updates in the browser and can be exported as SVG or PNG.

What is the Rf value in thin layer chromatography?

Rf is the distance travelled by a compound spot divided by the distance travelled by the solvent front from the baseline. It is usually reported as a value between 0 and 1.

Can I export a TLC diagram for a lab report?

Yes. The TLC diagram maker exports clean SVG and PNG files that can be used in lab notebooks, reports, worksheets, presentations, and teaching materials.

TLC Diagram Tool

Create a thin layer chromatography plate diagram directly on this page. Add lanes, edit Rf spots, show solvent front and baseline labels, then export the plate as SVG or PNG.

Title Solvent system Stationary phase

Plate width Plate height

Solvent front height (% of run)18% Show Rf labels

Quick TLC Workflow

Quick answer: A TLC plate diagram should show the baseline, solvent front, sample lanes, compound spots, lane labels, solvent system, stationary phase, and Rf values when they are known.

Define plate size and solvent front clearly.
Add lanes and label samples consistently.
Record spot distances and compute Rf values.
Export final plate visualization for notebook and report use.

TLC Diagram Maker for Lab Reports

This thin layer chromatography diagram maker is designed for common searches such as TLC plate drawing, chromatography plate diagram, Rf value diagram, and TLC lab report figure. It helps students, teachers, and lab teams create a clean visual plate without redrawing the same baseline, solvent front, and spots by hand.

What to include in a TLC plate diagram

Show the origin line or baseline near the bottom, a dashed solvent front near the top, separate sample lanes, visible spots, lane labels, and the solvent system used for the run.

When to show Rf labels

Rf labels are useful for lab reports, teaching slides, and compound comparison. Hide them when you only need a clean qualitative plate illustration.

How to Calculate Rf Value

In thin layer chromatography, the Rf value compares how far a compound spot moved with how far the solvent front moved from the baseline. The value is unitless and usually falls between 0 and 1.

Rf = distance travelled by compound spot / distance travelled by solvent front

For example, if a spot moves 3.2 cm and the solvent front moves 5.0 cm, the Rf value is 0.64. In this diagram tool you can enter that value directly for each spot, and the plate preview places the spot proportionally between the baseline and solvent front.

Common TLC Diagram Uses

Organic chemistry labs

Use TLC diagrams to compare reactant, product, co-spot, and crude reaction mixture lanes during reaction monitoring.

Teaching and worksheets

Create simple TLC plates for explaining polarity, solvent choice, spot separation, UV visualization, staining, and Rf interpretation.

Purification reports

Illustrate column fractions, purification checks, and before/after comparisons using labeled lanes and colored spots.

Notebook figures

Export SVG for editable vector diagrams or PNG for quick insertion into electronic lab notebooks and reports.