Free printable science worksheets and charts

Periodic Table Printable with Charges

Every element's common ion charge in large type, with an optional second page of polyatomic ions. Print it or download the PDF.

This periodic table printable with charges shows the common ion charge of each element in its box, so you can see at a glance that sodium forms Na+ and oxygen forms O2−. It runs in your web browser with no sign-up, and nothing you make is uploaded or sent to a server. Each box shows the atomic number, symbol and name, with the common charges in large bold type: positive charges in red and negative charges in blue. A second page, Common Polyatomic Ions, lists 22 ions grouped by charge, so you can use one sheet for single elements and one for groups of atoms. You can print on US Letter or A4 paper, or make a four-page poster for a wall.

How to print a periodic table with charges

  1. Choose your paper size: US Letter or A4.
  2. Set Print size to One landscape page for a handout, or Poster, 2 × 2 pages for a large wall chart.
  3. Leave Add a polyatomic ions page switched on to include the second page, or switch it off for the elements alone.
  4. Atomic mass is off by default. Switch it on if you need it.
  5. Check the charges. Positive charges show in red and negative charges in blue.
  6. Click Download PDF to save a vector file that stays sharp at any zoom and prints at true size. Click Print to open your browser’s print dialog with only the sheet or sheets.
  7. Click Copy link to save a link that reopens the same settings.

To look up one element, click or tap its box in the interactive Explore the elements table on this page. You can also focus a box and press Enter, then use the arrow keys to move. The search box, Find element: name, symbol or number, highlights matches.

The polyatomic ions page prints after the table in the same file. For a wall chart, choose the poster size: the table is split over four pages that you trim and tape together, and the ions page still prints as a normal page.

What are the charges on the periodic table?

A charge is the ion an element most often forms. It is the number of electrons the atom tends to lose (positive) or gain (negative) to reach a stable noble-gas arrangement. Main-group metals lose electrons, so they show positive charges. Nonmetals gain electrons, so they show negative charges.

The charges on this chart follow a few fixed patterns:

  • Group 1 metals form 1+ ions, such as Na+.
  • Group 2 metals form 2+ ions, such as Mg2+.
  • Aluminum, gallium and indium form 3+ ions.
  • Nitrogen and phosphorus form 3− ions.
  • Oxygen, sulfur, selenium and tellurium form 2− ions.
  • Fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine form 1− ions.
  • Hydrogen shows both 1+ and 1−.

Noble gases are left blank because they rarely form simple ions. Carbon, silicon, germanium and boron are also blank for the same reason. Transition metals can lose different numbers of electrons, so they show more than one charge.

How do you find the charge of an element from its group?

Find the group number, from 1 to 18, across the top of the table. For main-group elements, the group number tells you the charge: a metal’s charge equals its group number, and a nonmetal’s charge equals its group number minus 18.

  1. Metals in groups 1, 2 and 13 lose 1, 2 and 3 electrons, so their charges are 1+, 2+ and 3+.
  2. Nonmetals in groups 15, 16 and 17 gain 3, 2 and 1 electrons, so their charges are 3−, 2− and 1−.

To write a formula, the total positive and negative charge must add up to zero. Al3+ and O2− give Al2O3, because two aluminum ions (6+) balance three oxide ions (6−). Ca2+ and Cl− give CaCl2, because one calcium ion (2+) balances two chloride ions (2−).

How do you use the charges to write a formula?

Take the charge of each ion and combine them so the total charge is zero. Sodium (1+) and chloride (1−) combine one to one: NaCl. Iron(III) (3+) and chloride (1−) need three chlorides: FeCl3. Sodium (1+) and sulfate (2−) need two sodiums: Na2SO4. When more than one polyatomic ion is needed, put it in parentheses: calcium (2+) and nitrate (1−) give Ca(NO3)2. The naming compounds practice on this site drills exactly this.

Frequently asked questions

Why do transition metals have more than one charge?

Transition metals can lose different numbers of electrons, so one element can form more than one common ion. The chart shows them, such as Fe 3+ and 2+, or Cu 2+ and 1+. Names use Roman numerals to show which charge is meant: iron(II) is Fe2+ and iron(III) is Fe3+.

What are polyatomic ions?

Polyatomic ions are groups of atoms bonded together that carry an overall charge. Examples include ammonium NH4+, nitrate NO3− and sulfate SO4 2−. The second page of this tool lists 22 of them, grouped by charge, with real subscripts and superscripts.

Can I print it in black and white?

Yes. Turn off Color boxes by element category: the boxes print white and the charges print in black with their + and − signs, so every charge is still readable.

Is this tool free, and is my data uploaded?

Yes, it is free and needs no sign-up. The chart runs in your browser, and nothing is uploaded or sent to a server.

Can I print the chart without the polyatomic ions page?

Yes. Turn off Add a polyatomic ions page, and only the periodic table prints. The option is on by default on this page.