How Many Elements in the Periodic Table
118 confirmed elements — 94 natural and 24 synthetic
⚡Quick Answer
There are 118 confirmed elements in the periodic table: 94 occur naturally and 24 are synthetic (man-made). The four newest elements (113, 115, 117, 118) were named in 2016. Scientists continue working on creating elements 119 and beyond.
Step-by-Step Guide
Quick Answer
There are 118 confirmed elements in the periodic table as of 2026. The most recently added elements (113, 115, 117, 118) were officially named in 2016: Nihonium, Moscovium, Tennessine, and Oganesson.
Natural vs Synthetic Elements
94 elements occur naturally on Earth | 24 elements are synthetic (man-made in laboratories) | Elements 1-94 (hydrogen to plutonium) can be found in nature, though some only in trace amounts
How the Table is Organized
7 Periods (rows): Elements arranged by increasing atomic number | 18 Groups (columns): Elements with similar properties | Categories: Metals, nonmetals, metalloids, noble gases, halogens, etc.
The Most Common Elements
In the Universe: Hydrogen (75%), Helium (23%) | In Earth's Crust: Oxygen (46%), Silicon (28%) | In Human Body: Oxygen (65%), Carbon (18%), Hydrogen (10%)
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there ever be more than 118 elements?
Likely yes! Scientists at particle accelerators are working to create elements 119 and 120. However, superheavy elements are extremely unstable and exist for only fractions of a second. The 'island of stability' theory suggests some superheavy elements might be more stable.
What's the heaviest element?
Oganesson (element 118) is the heaviest confirmed element, with an atomic mass of about 294. It's also the only noble gas that might be a solid at room temperature, though it's never been observed long enough to confirm its properties.
Which element was discovered most recently?
Oganesson, Tennessine, Moscovium, and Nihonium were all officially recognized in 2016, making them the newest additions. They were created in laboratories between 2002-2010 but required years of verification before being added to the table.
Why do some elements have weird symbols?
Many element symbols come from Latin names: Gold (Au from Aurum), Silver (Ag from Argentum), Lead (Pb from Plumbum), Iron (Fe from Ferrum). This reflects the history of chemistry when Latin was the scientific language.
Can elements be destroyed or created?
Elements can transform through nuclear reactions. Stars create heavy elements through fusion. Radioactive elements decay into lighter ones. Nuclear reactors and particle accelerators can create new elements by smashing atoms together.