The list below represents examples of textbooks that meet the resource requirements of AP Chemistry. The list is not exhaustive and the texts listed should not be regarded as endorsed, authorized, recommended, or approved by College Board. Not using a book from this list does not mean that a course will not receive authorization. Syllabi submitted as part of the AP Course Audit process will be evaluated holistically, with textbooks considered along with supplementary, supporting resources to confirm that the course as a whole provides students with the content delineated in the curricular requirements of the AP Course Audit.
The specified editions of the following textbooks meet the AP Course Audit curricular requirements. Earlier editions of these textbooks or other textbooks not listed here may meet the AP Course Audit curricular requirements if published within the last 10 years. While every effort is made to keep this list current, it can take a few months for newly published titles and revised editions to be reviewed.
For discussions regarding the usefulness of these texts and other teaching materials in the AP Chemistry classroom, please consult the AP Chemistry Teacher Community.
- Atkins, Peter, Loretta Jones, and Leroy Laverman. Chemical Principles: The Quest for Insight. 8th Edition. W.H. Freeman, 2023.
- Brown, Lemay, Bursten, Murphy, Woodward, and Stolfzus. Chemistry: The Central Science. 15th edition. Pearson. 2023.
- Brown, LeMay et al. Chemistry: The Central Science, AP Edition. Pearson.
- Chang, Raymond. Chemistry, AP Edition. 14th edition. McGraw-Hill Education. 2022
- Ebbing and Gammon. General Chemistry. 11th edition. National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.
- Flowers, Paul, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley, and William R. Robinson. Chemistry 2e. 2nd edition. OpenStax CNX.
- Gilbert, Kirss, Bretz, Foster. Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach, AP Edition. 1st Edition. W.W. Norton, 2020.
- Jespersen, Neil D., and Alison Hyslop. Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter. 8th edition. Wiley. 2021.
- Kotz, John C., Paul M. Treichel, John R. Townsend, and David Treichel. Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity. 11th edition. National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.
- Masterson and Hurley. Chemistry: Principles and Reactions. 8th edition. National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning.
- Petrucci, Ralph H. General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications. 12th edition. Pearson College Division. 2024.
- Silberberg, Martin. Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change, AP Edition. 10th edition. McGraw-Hill Education. 2024.
- Smith, Cheri, Gary Davidson, Megan Ryan, and David Toth. AP Chemistry 1 and AP Chemistry 2. 1st edition. Edvantage Interactive.
- Trivedi, Ketan M. AP Chemistry Flash Drive for PC. Trivedi Chemistry.
- Tro, Nivaldo. Chemistry: A Molecular Approach, AP Edition. 6th edition. Pearson. 2023.
- Zumdahl, Steven S. and Susan A. Zumdahl. Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach. 3rd Edition. Cengage Learning, 2021.
- Zumdahl, Steven S., Susan A. Zumdahl, and Donald J. DeCoste. Chemistry (AP Edition). 11th edition. National Geographic Learning/Cengage Learning. 2024.