Thermodynamic stability relations in the C-H-O system are analyzed employing a recently developed approach to the stability of chemical species in multiple chemical reaction systems. The approach is based on a new quantitative definition of the overall stability of chemical species in terms of stoichiometrically unique reactions. Analytical equations for the overall stability of the species are generated and shown to be a useful and simple means to rationalize and predict the system’s behavior as a function of temperature, pressure and composition.