Step by step
- Look at the colors: the legend above names each category.
- Find the staircase from boron (B) down to polonium (Po).
- Left of it: metals. Right of it: nonmetals.
At a glance
| Type | Where | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Metals | Left and centre | Na, Fe, Cu, Au |
| Metalloids | Along the staircase | B, Si, Ge, As |
| Nonmetals | Upper right and H | C, N, O, Cl, Ne |
Related questions
Is hydrogen a metal?
No, it is a nonmetal, even though it sits in group 1.
Why is polonium sometimes a metal?
Sources disagree; some list it as a post-transition metal.
Which metal is liquid at room temperature?
Mercury (Hg); bromine is the liquid nonmetal.
More questions: periodic table
- How to read the periodic table
- How is the periodic table organized?
- What is the periodic table?
- Why is it called the periodic table?
- How many elements are on the periodic table?
- What are the groups on the periodic table?
- What are the periodic table trends?
- Periodic table with charges and oxidation states
- Periodic table electron configuration and valence electrons
- Why is gold Au and potassium K on the periodic table?
- How to memorize and study the periodic table
- Why is the periodic table important?
- Who invented the periodic table?
Open the full periodic table →
Updated November 14, 2026.