Last updated: March 2026
What Is the Periodic Table?
The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of all known chemical elements, organized by atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties. First published by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869, it remains one of the most important tools in chemistry and science education. Elements are arranged in 18 columns (groups) and 7 rows (periods), with the lanthanide and actinide series displayed separately below the main table.
This interactive periodic table goes beyond a static image. You can click any element to see detailed properties including electron configuration, melting and boiling points, density, and a visual representation of electron shells. The color-coding system helps you quickly identify element categories, states of matter, and discovery eras.
How to Use This Interactive Periodic Table
Browse elements: The table displays all 118 elements in the standard 18-column layout. Each cell shows the atomic number, symbol, element name, and atomic weight. Hover over any element to highlight it, and click to open a detailed information panel.
Search: Use the search bar to find elements by name, symbol, or atomic number. As you type, matching elements highlight while others dim, making it easy to locate any element instantly.
Change color schemes: Toggle between four visualization modes. "By Category" groups elements by chemical family. "By State" shows whether each element is solid, liquid, or gas at room temperature. "By Shells" colors elements by their electron shell count. "By Discovery" reveals when each element was first identified.
Export data: Download the complete element database as a CSV file for use in spreadsheets, or copy structured JSON data for programming projects. Every property for all 118 elements is included in the export.
Understanding Element Properties
Atomic number and weight: The atomic number (Z) tells you how many protons are in the nucleus and uniquely identifies each element. The atomic weight is the weighted average mass of all naturally occurring isotopes, measured in atomic mass units (amu). For synthetic elements with no stable isotopes, the mass number of the most stable known isotope is shown in brackets.
Electron configuration: This notation describes how electrons are arranged in shells and subshells around the nucleus. Understanding electron configuration is key to predicting chemical bonding behavior, reactivity, and the physical properties of elements. Noble gas shorthand uses the previous noble gas symbol in brackets to abbreviate the inner electron shells.
Physical properties: Melting and boiling points (shown in both Celsius and Fahrenheit) indicate the temperatures at which phase transitions occur. Density is given in grams per cubic centimeter. These properties follow periodic trends — melting points generally increase across a period and decrease down a group for metals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many elements are on the periodic table?
The periodic table contains 118 confirmed elements as of 2024. Elements 1 (Hydrogen) through 118 (Oganesson) have all been officially named and recognized by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). Elements 1-94 occur naturally, while elements 95-118 are synthetic and have only been created in laboratories.
What do the colors on the periodic table mean?
The default color scheme groups elements by chemical category: alkali metals (red), alkaline earth metals (orange), transition metals (yellow), post-transition metals (green), metalloids (teal), nonmetals (blue), halogens (purple), noble gases (pink), lanthanides (light blue), and actinides (light pink). You can also switch to color schemes based on state of matter, electron shell count, or discovery era.
What is an electron configuration and how do I read it?
An electron configuration describes how electrons are distributed among atomic orbitals. For example, carbon is 1s2 2s2 2p2 meaning 2 electrons in the 1s orbital, 2 in the 2s orbital, and 2 in the 2p orbital. Abbreviated configs use the previous noble gas in brackets, like [He] 2s2 2p2 for carbon. The numbers before the letter indicate the energy level, the letter (s, p, d, f) indicates the orbital shape, and the superscript shows the electron count.
Which elements are liquid at room temperature?
Only two elements are liquid at standard room temperature (25 degrees C): mercury (Hg, element 80) and bromine (Br, element 35). Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature, which is why it was historically used in thermometers. Several other elements, like cesium (28.4 degrees C melting point) and gallium (29.8 degrees C), melt just above room temperature and can become liquid in your hand.
Can I download the element data from this tool?
Yes. Click the 'Download CSV' button to export all 118 elements with their full properties including atomic number, symbol, name, atomic weight, category, electron configuration, state, melting point, boiling point, density, and discovery year. You can also click 'Copy JSON' to copy the complete dataset as structured JSON data to your clipboard for use in programming projects.