Atomic Number Calculator
Find protons, neutrons, and electrons for any element or isotope. Calculate electron configuration, identify ions from charge states, and explore the periodic table — with step-by-step working for every result.
Carbon
Atomic Mass: 12.011 u
Electron Configuration
Find protons and neutrons for any isotope. Enter an element + either mass number or neutron count.
Carbon-14
Isotope of Carbon (Z = 6)
Click any element to load it into the main calculator. First 36 elements shown.
All proton, neutron, and electron counts for neutral atoms using the most abundant isotope. Click any row to load into the calculator.
| Z | Symbol | Name | Atomic Mass | Protons | Neutrons* | Electrons | Period | Group | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | H | Hydrogen | 1.008 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | nonmetal |
| 2 | He | Helium | 4.003 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 18 | noble gas |
| 3 | Li | Lithium | 6.941 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | alkali metal |
| 4 | Be | Beryllium | 9.012 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | alkaline earth |
| 5 | B | Boron | 10.811 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 13 | metalloid |
| 6 | C | Carbon | 12.011 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 14 | nonmetal |
| 7 | N | Nitrogen | 14.007 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 15 | nonmetal |
| 8 | O | Oxygen | 15.999 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 16 | nonmetal |
| 9 | F | Fluorine | 18.998 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 17 | halogen |
| 10 | Ne | Neon | 20.180 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 2 | 18 | noble gas |
| 11 | Na | Sodium | 22.990 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 3 | 1 | alkali metal |
| 12 | Mg | Magnesium | 24.305 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 3 | 2 | alkaline earth |
| 13 | Al | Aluminum | 26.982 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 3 | 13 | metal |
| 14 | Si | Silicon | 28.086 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 14 | metalloid |
| 15 | P | Phosphorus | 30.974 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 3 | 15 | nonmetal |
| 16 | S | Sulfur | 32.060 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 3 | 16 | nonmetal |
| 17 | Cl | Chlorine | 35.453 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 3 | 17 | halogen |
| 18 | Ar | Argon | 39.948 | 18 | 22 | 18 | 3 | 18 | noble gas |
| 19 | K | Potassium | 39.098 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 4 | 1 | alkali metal |
| 20 | Ca | Calcium | 40.078 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 4 | 2 | alkaline earth |
| 21 | Sc | Scandium | 44.956 | 21 | 24 | 21 | 4 | 3 | transition metal |
| 22 | Ti | Titanium | 47.867 | 22 | 26 | 22 | 4 | 4 | transition metal |
| 23 | V | Vanadium | 50.942 | 23 | 28 | 23 | 4 | 5 | transition metal |
| 24 | Cr | Chromium | 51.996 | 24 | 28 | 24 | 4 | 6 | transition metal |
| 25 | Mn | Manganese | 54.938 | 25 | 30 | 25 | 4 | 7 | transition metal |
| 26 | Fe | Iron | 55.845 | 26 | 30 | 26 | 4 | 8 | transition metal |
| 27 | Co | Cobalt | 58.933 | 27 | 32 | 27 | 4 | 9 | transition metal |
| 28 | Ni | Nickel | 58.693 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 4 | 10 | transition metal |
| 29 | Cu | Copper | 63.546 | 29 | 34 | 29 | 4 | 11 | transition metal |
| 30 | Zn | Zinc | 65.380 | 30 | 35 | 30 | 4 | 12 | transition metal |
| 31 | Ga | Gallium | 69.723 | 31 | 39 | 31 | 4 | 13 | metal |
| 32 | Ge | Germanium | 72.630 | 32 | 41 | 32 | 4 | 14 | metalloid |
| 33 | As | Arsenic | 74.922 | 33 | 42 | 33 | 4 | 15 | metalloid |
| 34 | Se | Selenium | 78.960 | 34 | 45 | 34 | 4 | 16 | nonmetal |
| 35 | Br | Bromine | 79.904 | 35 | 45 | 35 | 4 | 17 | halogen |
| 36 | Kr | Krypton | 83.798 | 36 | 48 | 36 | 4 | 18 | noble gas |
* Neutrons shown for most abundant natural isotope (rounded atomic mass)
Atomic Number Calculator — Find Protons, Neutrons & Electrons
This atomic number calculator finds the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons for any element or isotope instantly. Enter an element name, symbol, or atomic number Z — optionally add a mass number for isotopes or an ionic charge for ions — and the protons neutrons and electrons calculator returns all four subatomic particle counts with complete step-by-step working, electron configuration, and isotope notation.
Quick formula: Protons = Z (atomic number) · Neutrons = A − Z (mass number minus atomic number) · Electrons = Z − charge (for ions; charge = 0 for neutral atoms)
Atomic Number, Mass Number, and Atomic Structure
Every atom consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by a cloud of electrons. The atomic number (Z) is the defining characteristic of each element — it counts the number of protons in the nucleus and cannot change without changing the element itself.
Mass Number (A)
The mass number (A) is the total count of nucleons — protons plus neutrons — in the nucleus. Because electrons are so light (about 1/1836 the mass of a proton), they contribute negligible mass to the atom.
Nuclear Notation ᴬᴢX
Scientists write isotopes using nuclear notation: the mass number A as a superscript and the atomic number Z as a subscript, both to the left of the element symbol. For example, Carbon-12 is written ¹²₆C, meaning A=12, Z=6, symbol=C.
Electrons in Neutral Atoms and Ions
In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons (Z). When an atom gains or loses electrons, it becomes an ion:
- Cation (positive charge, +): lost electrons → electrons = Z − charge
- Anion (negative charge, −): gained electrons → electrons = Z − charge (charge is negative, so subtracting a negative adds electrons)
How to Find Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons — Step-by-Step
Follow this four-step method to find protons, neutrons, and electrons for any element or ion. This is the core method used by our protons neutrons and electrons calculator.
- Step 1 — Find the atomic number Z: Look up the element on the periodic table. The atomic number Z equals the number of protons. Carbon: Z=6, so protons=6.
- Step 2 — Find or determine the mass number A: If given an isotope (e.g. Carbon-14), A is in the name. Otherwise, round the standard atomic mass to the nearest whole number (Carbon: 12.011 → A=12).
- Step 3 — Calculate neutrons: Neutrons = A − Z. Carbon-12: 12 − 6 = 6 neutrons. Carbon-14: 14 − 6 = 8 neutrons.
- Step 4 — Calculate electrons (accounting for charge): Electrons = Z − ionic charge. Neutral atom: same as Z. For Fe³⁺: electrons = 26 − 3 = 23.
Example 1 — Carbon neutral atom (C, Z=6, A=12, charge=0)
- Protons = Z = 6
- Neutrons = A − Z = 12 − 6 = 6
- Electrons = Z − charge = 6 − 0 = 6
- Notation: ¹²₆C | Config: 1s² 2s² 2p²
Example 2 — Chloride ion (Cl⁻, Z=17, A=35, charge=−1)
- Protons = Z = 17
- Neutrons = 35 − 17 = 18
- Electrons = 17 − (−1) = 18 (gained 1 electron → anion)
- Notation: ³⁵₁₇Cl⁻ | Has same electron count as Argon (isoelectronic)
Example 3 — Iron(III) ion (Fe³⁺, Z=26, A=56, charge=+3)
- Protons = Z = 26
- Neutrons = 56 − 26 = 30
- Electrons = 26 − 3 = 23 (lost 3 electrons → cation)
- Config neutral Fe: [Ar] 3d⁶ 4s² → Fe³⁺ config: [Ar] 3d⁵
Example 4 — Sodium ion (Na⁺, Z=11, A=23, charge=+1)
- Protons = 11
- Neutrons = 23 − 11 = 12
- Electrons = 11 − 1 = 10
- Na⁺ is isoelectronic with Neon (both have 10 electrons)
Isotopes — Same Protons, Different Neutrons
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons (same atomic number Z) but different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different mass numbers A. Isotopes of an element have identical chemical behavior but different nuclear stability and mass.
The classic example is carbon: Carbon-12 (Z=6, A=12, 6 neutrons) makes up 98.93% of natural carbon and is the basis of the atomic mass scale. Carbon-14 (Z=6, A=14, 8 neutrons) is radioactive with a half-life of 5,730 years — the basis of radiocarbon dating.
Key rule for isotopes: neutrons = A − Z. Change A, keep Z — same element, different isotope. Carbon always has 6 protons. C-12 has 6 neutrons. C-14 has 8 neutrons.
| Isotope | Z (Protons) | A (Mass No.) | Neutrons | Stable? | Natural Abundance / Half-life |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon-12 (C-12) | 6 | 12 | 6 | ✅ | 98.93% |
| Carbon-14 (C-14) | 6 | 14 | 8 | ☢️ | Half-life: 5,730 years |
| Hydrogen-1 (H-1) | 1 | 1 | 0 | ✅ | 99.98% |
| Hydrogen-2 (D) | 1 | 2 | 1 | ✅ | 0.0115% — Deuterium |
| Hydrogen-3 (T) | 1 | 3 | 2 | ☢️ | Half-life: 12.32 years — Tritium |
| Iron-56 (Fe-56) | 26 | 56 | 30 | ✅ | 91.75% |
| Uranium-235 | 92 | 235 | 143 | ☢️ | Half-life: 703.8 million years |
| Uranium-238 | 92 | 238 | 146 | ☢️ | Half-life: 4.47 billion years |
Ions — How Charge Affects Electron Count
An ion is an atom that has gained or lost one or more electrons, giving it a net electrical charge. The number of protons and neutrons does not change when an ion forms — only the electron count changes.
Cations — Positive Ions (lost electrons)
When an atom loses electrons it becomes positively charged. The more electrons lost, the higher the positive charge. Metals commonly form cations.
- Na⁺ (Sodium): Z=11, lost 1 electron → 10 electrons (same as Ne)
- Ca²⁺ (Calcium): Z=20, lost 2 electrons → 18 electrons (same as Ar)
- Fe³⁺ (Iron III): Z=26, lost 3 electrons → 23 electrons
- Al³⁺ (Aluminum): Z=13, lost 3 electrons → 10 electrons
Anions — Negative Ions (gained electrons)
When an atom gains electrons it becomes negatively charged. Nonmetals commonly form anions.
- Cl⁻ (Chloride): Z=17, gained 1 electron → 18 electrons (same as Ar)
- O²⁻ (Oxide): Z=8, gained 2 electrons → 10 electrons (same as Ne)
- F⁻ (Fluoride): Z=9, gained 1 electron → 10 electrons (same as Ne)
- S²⁻ (Sulfide): Z=16, gained 2 electrons → 18 electrons (same as Ar)
Isoelectronic species have the same number of electrons but different atomic numbers. Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Al³⁺, F⁻, O²⁻, and Ne all have 10 electrons and are isoelectronic with neon.
Electron Configuration from Atomic Number
The electron configuration describes how electrons are distributed among atomic orbitals. Electrons fill orbitals in order of increasing energy, following the Aufbau principle. The filling order is: 1s → 2s → 2p → 3s → 3p → 4s → 3d → 4p.
Each subshell holds a maximum number of electrons: s = 2, p = 6, d = 10, f = 14.
| Element (Z) | Symbol | Electron Configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen (1) | H | 1s¹ | |
| Helium (2) | He | 1s² | First noble gas |
| Lithium (3) | Li | 1s² 2s¹ | |
| Carbon (6) | C | 1s² 2s² 2p² | |
| Neon (10) | Ne | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ | Full 2p shell |
| Sodium (11) | Na | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s¹ | |
| Argon (18) | Ar | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ | Full 3p shell |
| Potassium (19) | K | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹ | 4s fills before 3d |
| Calcium (20) | Ca | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² | |
| Chromium (24) | Cr | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁵ 4s¹ | ⚠️ Exception — half-filled 3d |
| Copper (29) | Cu | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s¹ | ⚠️ Exception — full 3d |
| Zinc (30) | Zn | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² | |
| Krypton (36) | Kr | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ | Full 4p shell |
Exceptions — Chromium and Copper: Chromium (Z=24) has [Ar] 3d⁵ 4s¹ instead of [Ar] 3d⁴ 4s² because a half-filled d subshell (3d⁵) provides extra stability. Copper (Z=29) has [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹ instead of [Ar] 3d⁹ 4s² because a completely filled d subshell (3d¹⁰) is especially stable.
Worked Examples — 8 Problems
Problem 1: Find protons, neutrons, electrons for Oxygen-16 (neutral)
- Z = 8 → Protons = 8
- A = 16, Neutrons = 16 − 8 = 8
- Charge = 0, Electrons = 8 − 0 = 8
- Config: 1s² 2s² 2p⁴
Problem 2: Find protons, neutrons, electrons for Calcium ion Ca²⁺ (A=40)
- Z = 20 → Protons = 20
- Neutrons = 40 − 20 = 20
- Electrons = 20 − 2 = 18 (isoelectronic with Ar)
Problem 3: Element has 15 protons — what is it?
- Z = 15 → Element is Phosphorus (P)
- Standard mass = 30.974, so A = 31
- Neutrons = 31 − 15 = 16, Electrons = 15 (neutral)
- Config: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³
Problem 4: Find neutrons in Uranium-238
- Uranium: Z = 92
- Neutrons = A − Z = 238 − 92 = 146 neutrons
Problem 5: An atom has 17 protons and 18 neutrons — identify it and find electrons if charge = −1
- Z = 17 → Chlorine (Cl)
- Mass number = 17 + 18 = 35 → this is Cl-35
- Electrons = 17 − (−1) = 18 → Cl⁻ (chloride ion)
Problem 6: Write the electron configuration for Potassium (Z=19)
- Fill in order: 1s(2), 2s(2), 2p(6), 3s(2), 3p(6) = 18 electrons used
- Remaining: 19 − 18 = 1 electron → goes into 4s
- Config: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹
Problem 7: Find protons, neutrons, electrons for Iron-56 as Fe²⁺
- Z = 26 → Protons = 26
- Neutrons = 56 − 26 = 30
- Electrons = 26 − 2 = 24
Problem 8: An ion has 10 electrons and 8 protons — what is the charge?
- Electrons = Z − charge → 10 = 8 − charge → charge = 8 − 10 = −2
- Z = 8 → Oxygen, ion is O²⁻ (oxide ion)
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