Phosphoric acid is a component of fertilizers (80% of total use), detergents, and many household cleaning products. Dilute solutions have a pleasing acid taste; thus, it's also used as a food additive, lending acidic properties to soft drinks and other prepared foods, and in water treatment products.

Orthophosphoric acid 20% solution is a clear, colorless, viscous liquid with a melting point of 21°C and a boiling point of

158°C. It has a density of 1.680g/cm³ and a vapor pressure of 2 h Pa at 20°C.