Step by step
- Find the column number at the top of the table.
- Tap a category in the legend to light up that family.
- Compare elements down the column to see the shared behaviour.
At a glance
| Group | Name | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alkali metals | Li, Na, K |
| 2 | Alkaline earth metals | Be, Mg, Ca |
| 17 / 18 | Halogens / noble gases | F, Cl / He, Ne, Ar |
Related questions
Is hydrogen an alkali metal?
No, it sits in group 1 but is a nonmetal gas.
What are groups 1A to 8A?
An older American numbering for the main groups; 1A is group 1 and 8A is group 18.
Are lanthanides a group?
They are a series inside period 6, shown in a separate row.
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?
- Which elements are metals, nonmetals and metalloids?
- 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.