What is the common name for solid carbon dioxide?

The common name for solid carbon dioxide is dry ice. Unlike ordinary ice, which is solid water, dry ice is made of CO₂ and changes directly from a solid into a gas under normal atmospheric pressure.

That direct phase change is called sublimation. Dry ice sublimates at about −78.5 °C at Earth’s atmospheric pressure, making it a powerful coolant that leaves no liquid meltwater. It is used to transport frozen foods, preserve medical materials, and create theatrical fog when its cold gas condenses moisture in the air.

The word “dry” distinguishes it from water ice, not because the material is chemically dry. Dry ice is nonflammable, but it must be handled with insulated gloves because it can cause severe cold burns. In enclosed spaces, accumulating carbon dioxide gas can also displace oxygen and create a breathing hazard. It should never be sealed in a rigid container, because sublimation can build dangerous pressure.