Periodic Table of Elements: List of All 118 (Names, Symbols & Atomic Numbers)

Every element on the periodic table, from hydrogen (1) to oganesson (118), with its symbol and atomic number. The atomic number is the number of protons in one atom, and it's the order the table is in.

The periodic table at a glance

List of all 118 elements

In order of atomic number. Search by name, symbol or number.

The first 20 elements

If your class asks you to learn part of the table, it's almost always these. Learn them in four rows of five rather than all at once:

Here He Lies Beneath Bed Covers, Nearly Out, Feeling Nervous. Naughty Margaret Always Sits Politely, Sipping Cold Apple Kombucha Calmly.

Each word starts with the next element's symbol (highlighted), in order from hydrogen to calcium. It's a bit silly, which is why it sticks. Say it out loud a few times, then check yourself against the tiles above.

11 symbols that don't match their names

Most symbols are the first letter or two of the English name. These eleven aren't, because they come from older names, mostly Latin. They're the ones that trip people up on tests, so learn them as a set:

How to memorise the periodic table

1. Go one row at a time. The rows (periods) are 2, 8, 8, 18, 18, 32 and 32 elements long. Get the first three rows solid before you touch the rest.
2. Practise both directions. Knowing "Fe is iron" is not the same as knowing "iron is Fe". Test yourself from the name and from the symbol.
3. Add 5 to 10 new elements a day, and spend most of your time on ones you've already seen. A few minutes daily beats an hour the night before.
4. Come back just as you're about to forget. Review an element after a day, then a few days, then a week. Each time it sticks for longer. That's spaced repetition, and it's what our flashcards do for you.

Questions people ask

How many elements are on the periodic table?

118. The last four, nihonium (113), moscovium (115), tennessine (117) and oganesson (118), were officially named in 2016, which completed the seventh row.

What are the first 20 elements?

Hydrogen to calcium: H, He, Li, Be, B, C, N, O, F, Ne, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, Ar, K, Ca. See the first 20 above for a way to remember them.

Why is sodium's symbol Na?

It comes from natrium, the Latin name. Ten other symbols come from older names too, like K for potassium and Au for gold. They're all in the list above.

Do I need to memorise all 118?

Usually not. Most chemistry classes expect the first 20 (sometimes 36) by name and symbol, plus common ones like iron, copper, silver, gold, lead, mercury and iodine. Check your course or exam syllabus.

Is it aluminium or aluminum? Caesium or cesium?

Both are right. Aluminium and caesium are the international (IUPAC) spellings, and aluminum and cesium are used in the US. The symbols, Al and Cs, are the same everywhere.