Science, Tech, Math › Science What Is the Difference Between a Molecule and a Compound? Every compound is a molecule, but not every molecule is a compound Share Flipboard Email Print INDIGO MOLECULAR IMAGES / Getty Images Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated December 11, 2019 A molecule is formed when two or more atoms of an element chemically join together. And a compound is a type of molecule, in which the types of atoms forming the molecule are different from each other. Not all molecules are compounds, because some molecules, such as hydrogen gas or ozone, consist only of one element, of only one type of atom. Molecule Examples Some examples of molecules include: Water: H2OOxygen: O2Ozone: O3 Compound Examples Some examples of compounds include: Salt: NaClWater: H2O Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "What Is the Difference Between a Molecule and a Compound?" ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/difference-between-molecule-and-compound-608511. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 26). What Is the Difference Between a Molecule and a Compound? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/difference-between-molecule-and-compound-608511 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "What Is the Difference Between a Molecule and a Compound?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/difference-between-molecule-and-compound-608511 (accessed January 24, 2021). copy citation