What is propane made of?

Propane is a flammable hydrocarbon gas, which is both colorless and odorless in its natural state. The only reason we can smell propane is because an odorant is added to it before it’s sold, for safety purposes. Because propane is made up only of carbon and hydrogen — the chemical formula is C3H8 — it’s an organic compound. It’s also a paraffin hydrocarbon, similar to ethane or methane.

Although propane is a gas, it’s easily liquified with pressure, making it easy to store and transport in bulk form. For example, the propane tanks many people use for grilling are filled with liquid propane. The liquid, once released from the container, reverts to its gaseous form. For this reason, propane is often referred to as Liquified Petroleum Gas, or LPG.

Learn more about how propane is made and the full liquefaction process.