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Analytical chemistry is the study of the interplay of instruments and methods used to separate, identify, and quantify matter. In practice separation, identification or quantification may constitute the entire analysis or be combined with another method. Separation isolates analytes. Qualitative analysis identifies analytes. quantitative analysis determines the numerical amount or concentration.

Analytical chemistry consists of classical, wet chemical methods and modern, instrumental methods. Classical qualitative are referred to as wet chemistry because they often use solution chemistry for analysis. More generally they rely on human senses to observe analytes after some stimulus. Classical quantitative analysis uses instruments to quantify based on mass or volume. Instrumental methods rely use more often elaborate hardware to perform analysis. They may be used to replicate classical methods or extend to analyses not available to classical methods. Often the same instrument can separate identify and quantify an analyte.

Analytical chemistry is also focused on improvements in experimental design, chemometrics, and the creation of new measurement tools. Analytical chemistry has broad applications to forensics, medicine, science and engineering.