Periodic Table Flash Cards Printable
Make double-sided element flash cards for the first 20 elements, all 118 or your own list — then print them or practice on screen.
How to use the periodic table flash cards tool
- Under Elements, choose First 20 elements, First 36, First 54, All 118, By category, or My own list. For By category, tick any of the 10 categories, such as alkali metal, halogen or noble gas.
- For My own list, type atomic numbers, ranges, symbols or names separated by commas, for example
1-20, Fe, Cu, Ag, Au. Any entry the tool cannot read is listed as “Not recognized”, so check that list. - Under Front of the card, choose Symbol (name on the back) or Name (symbol on the back).
- Tick any extras you want: atomic number on the front, atomic number on the back, atomic mass on the back, category on the back, or color by category.
- Set Cards per sheet to 6, 8 or 12, and choose US Letter or A4. The sheets have dashed cut lines.
- Under Printing, choose Double-sided (fronts and backs) or Fold cards (single-sided).
- Check the count shown on the page, which gives the number of cards and sheets that will print.
Print opens your browser’s print dialog with only the sheets. Download PDF builds a vector PDF that stays sharp at any zoom and prints at true size. Copy link saves a link that reopens the same settings. For on-screen practice, open the Practice tab.
How do double-sided flash cards line up when printed?
Print double-sided sheets two-sided, flipping on the long edge. The backs are mirrored, so each back lands behind its front when you turn the sheet. Print one sheet first to confirm the alignment on your printer before you print the full set.
How do fold cards work?
Fold cards are for printers that cannot print on both sides. Each card’s front and back sit side by side on the same sheet, with a fold line between them. Cut each pair out along the dashed lines, fold it in the middle, and you have a two-sided card; a dab of glue or tape keeps it closed. Fold cards use more paper than double-sided cards, because each sheet holds half as many cards.
What is the best way to learn the element symbols?
Learn in small sets, starting with the first 20 elements. Say the element name aloud before you flip the card, so you test yourself before you see the answer. Put missed cards back into the pile, and review the set again the next day. Symbols are one or two letters, and only the first letter is capitalized, so check the capital letter when you write them.
How are element symbols written?
Every symbol has one or two letters: the first is always a capital and the second is always lower case, so Co is cobalt while CO is carbon monoxide, a compound. Most symbols come from the English name (H for hydrogen, Ca for calcium), but some come from Latin names: Na for sodium (natrium), K for potassium (kalium), Fe for iron (ferrum), Cu for copper (cuprum), Ag for silver (argentum), Au for gold (aurum) and Pb for lead (plumbum). These are worth an extra pass with the cards.
Mix these Latin-symbol cards into every practice round until they come easily.
Frequently asked questions
Can I print cards for only some elements?
Yes. Use My own list or By category, and only the elements you pick will print. For example, 1-20, Fe, Cu, Ag, Au gives 24 cards. The page shows the card and sheet count before you print.
How many cards fit on a page?
Six, eight or twelve per sheet, set under Cards per sheet, on US Letter or A4. The First 20 elements at 8 cards per sheet, printed double-sided, need 3 sheets of fronts and 3 sheets of backs.
Can I practice on screen?
Yes. Open the Practice tab: click the card or press Space to flip it, use the arrow keys or Previous and Next to move, and Shuffle to mix the deck. “I knew it” and “Again” count known and remaining cards until you know them all.
What is the best way to learn the element symbols?
Start with the first 20 elements, say each name before you flip, and review missed cards again the next day.
What is on the back of each card?
By default the back shows the element name (or the symbol, if names are on the front), its atomic number and its atomic mass. You can add the category, such as alkali metal or noble gas, or move the atomic number to the front.
Are the cards in color or black and white?
They print in black and white by default, so any printer works. Tick Color by category to give each card a pastel background for its element category, which makes groups such as the halogens or noble gases easy to spot.
Do I need to sign up to use the tool?
No. The tool is free, needs no sign-up, and does not upload your element list to a server.
Related tools
- Printable periodic table: use it when you want a full chart to study alongside your cards.
- Blank periodic table: use it when you want to practice filling in elements from memory.
- Periodic table with charges: use it when you are ready to learn ion charges after the element symbols.
- Naming compounds practice: use it when you want to apply element symbols to naming chemical compounds.
- States of matter worksheet: use it when you are studying solids, liquids and gases.
- Scientific method worksheet: use it when you are practicing the steps of an experiment.