Trinitrotoluene, commonly known as TNT, is a chemical compound with the formula C₇H₅N₃O₆. It's a pale yellow, crystalline solid that is widely used as an explosive material. TNT is relatively stable, making it safer to handle than some other explosives, and it requires a significant amount of energy to detonate. Its power is often used as a standard for comparing the strength of other explosives, with quantities expressed in "tons of TNT equivalent." Beyond its explosive applications, TNT has also been used in chemical synthesis and as a component in dyes.