NPK rating (or N-P-K) is used to label fertilizer based on the relative content of the chemicals

nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P), and potassium(K) that are commonly used in fertilizers.

Unlike the N number, the numbers for P and K do not reflect the amount of elemental
phosphorus and potassium in the fertilizer. Rather they represent the amount of oxide in the form
of P2O5 and K2O that would be present in the fertilizer if all the elemental phosphorus and
potassium were oxidized into these forms.[1].

[edit] Method for converting an N-P-K value to an actual

composition
The factors for converting from P2O5 and K2O values to their respective P and K elemental
values are as follows:

 P2O5 consists of 56.4% oxygen and 43.6% elemental phosphorus. The percentage (mass
fraction) of elemental phosphorus is 43.6% so P = 0.436 x P2O5

 K2O consists of 17% oxygen and 83% elemental potassium. The percentage (mass
fraction) of elemental potassium is 83% so K = 0.83 x K2O

 Nitrogen values represent actual nitrogen content so these numbers do not need to be
converted.

Using these conversion factors we can determine that an 18−51−20 fertilizer contains by weight:

 18% elemental (N)

 22% elemental (P), and
 16% elemental (K)

In the U.K., fertilizer labeling regulations allow for reporting the elemental mass fractions of
phosphorus and potassium. The regulations stipulate that this should be done in parentheses after
the standard N-P-K values.[2].

[edit] NPK values for commercial fertilizers

NPK values for various popular synthetic fertilizers include[3]:

 82-00-00 Anhydrous Ammonia

 21-00-00 Ammonium Sulfate
 33-00-00 Ammonium Nitrate
 45-00-00 Urea
 15-00-00 Calcium Nitrate
 13-00-44 Potassium Nitrate
NPK Values for naturally occurring fertilizer minerals:

 00-26-00 to 00-37-00 Phosphate Rock

 00-00-60 Potassium Chloride