A periodic table quiz that remembers what you got wrong
This periodic table quiz drills the facts chemistry students are asked to know by heart: which symbol belongs to which element, atomic numbers, where each element sits by group and period, and whether it is in the s, p, d or f block. You can also be asked to find an element on a full 118-element table — with or without its symbol showing.
Start with the first 20 elements that most school courses expect, then move up to the first 36, the first 54, a single family such as the halogens or transition metals, or all 118. Every miss is shown again three questions later and added to a review queue that stays on your device, so the elements you find hard come back until you get them right twice in a row.
It is free, runs in your browser and needs no account — handy for GCSE, IGCSE, CBSE, A-level and introductory college chemistry revision.
How to use the Periodic Table Quiz
- Tick the Question types you want. Mix them for variety or pick one to focus — for example only Name → symbol before a test.
- Choose the Elements to practise (first 20, a family, all 118…) and the number of Questions.
- Answer with the buttons or keys 1–4. For Find it on the table, tap the element’s square; tick Blank table to hide the symbols for a harder version.
- Read the feedback line: it repeats the element’s symbol, atomic number, group, period, block and family. Press Next or Enter to continue.
- At the end, press Practise my misses to run a round made only of elements in your review queue.
Periodic Table Quiz features
Six question types
Symbol to name, name to symbol, atomic number both ways, group and period, block, and click-the-element on a full table with the lanthanides and actinides below.
Smart wrong answers
Options are chosen from neighbouring elements and from symbols that start with the same letter, so Na sits beside N, Ne and Ni and you have to know the difference.
Spaced repetition
A missed element returns three questions later in the same round, and joins a review queue. Two correct answers in a row clear it — a simple Leitner-box system.
Category filters
Practise the first 20, 36 or 54 elements, the main-group s and p blocks, or one family: alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, post-transition metals, metalloids, reactive non-metals, halogens, noble gases, or the f block.
Blank-table mode
Hide the symbols on the table to test whether you really know where Potassium or Bromine sit, not just how to spot their symbols.
Saved settings
Your chosen question types, set and length, plus your best score per set, are kept in your browser.
Symbols that catch people out
Most symbols are the first one or two letters of the English name, but eleven common ones come from Latin or other languages. These are the ones exam questions love — and the quiz will include them whenever they are in your chosen set.
| Symbol | Element | Origin of the symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Na | Sodium | Natrium |
| K | Potassium | Kalium |
| Fe | Iron | Ferrum |
| Cu | Copper | Cuprum |
| Ag | Silver | Argentum |
| Sn | Tin | Stannum |
| Sb | Antimony | Stibium |
| W | Tungsten | Wolfram |
| Au | Gold | Aurum |
| Hg | Mercury | Hydrargyrum |
| Pb | Lead | Plumbum |
How groups, periods and blocks are defined here
Groups are numbered 1 to 18 following IUPAC, and periods 1 to 7. Lanthanum to lutetium and actinium to lawrencium are treated as the f block and shown in the two rows below the main table, so a group-and-period question is never asked about them — they are described as a lanthanide or actinide of period 6 or 7 instead. Helium is in group 18 but counted as s-block, because its two electrons fill the 1s orbital.
Element names use IUPAC spellings — aluminium, caesium and sulfur — the same as the interactive periodic table, where you can look up atomic weights, electron configurations and more for any element. For calculations, the molar mass calculator uses those weights, and the flashcard maker lets you print your own cards for anything the quiz does not cover.
Periodic Table Quiz FAQ
Which elements should I learn first for a periodic table quiz at school?
Most courses expect the first 20 elements (hydrogen to calcium) by name, symbol and position, plus common metals such as iron, copper, zinc, silver, gold and lead. Start with “First 20”, then “First 36”, then the transition metals.
How does the review queue work?
Every element you miss is saved in a queue on your device. It is asked again three questions later, and when you choose Practise my misses you get a round made only of queued elements. Answer an element correctly twice in a row and it leaves the queue.
Why is helium in the s-block but group 18?
Its electron configuration is 1s², so by electron filling it belongs to the s block. It is placed in group 18 because it behaves like the other noble gases — full outer shell, very unreactive.
Are lanthanides and actinides included?
Yes. Choose “All 118” or “Lanthanides and actinides”. They are asked about by symbol, name, atomic number, block and table position, but not by group number, since IUPAC does not assign them groups 4–17 in the standard layout.
Does the quiz use aluminium or aluminum?
IUPAC names are used: aluminium, caesium and sulfur. In the United States these are usually written aluminum, cesium and sulfur — the symbols (Al, Cs, S) are the same everywhere.
Is my progress saved?
Your review queue, best scores and settings are stored in your browser’s local storage only. Reset review and best clears them.