CH3 is the chemical formula for methyl, an organic compound. Methyl is a hydrocarbon with one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms. It is the simplest of the alkanes, a class of organic compounds that contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms. Methyl is used in many industrial processes, including the production of plastics, pharmaceuticals, and paints. It is also found in many everyday products, such as gasoline, paint, and detergents.