Guides
Metals vs Nonmetals — What's the Difference?
Elements divide into metals, nonmetals and metalloids, with systematic differences in physical and chemical properties.
Position
Metals sit on the left and bottom of the table, nonmetals on the top-right, with metalloids (B, Si, Ge, As, Sb, Te) along the dividing line.
Physical properties
| Metals | Nonmetals | |
|---|---|---|
| Lustre | Shiny | Usually dull |
| Conductivity | Good | Poor (graphite is an exception) |
| Malleability | Malleable/ductile | Brittle / none |
| State at RT | Mostly solid (Hg liquid) | Solid, liquid or gas |
Chemistry
Metals tend to lose electrons (reducing), forming cations and basic oxides; nonmetals tend to gain electrons (oxidising), forming anions and acidic oxides.
Filter elements by metallicity in browse, or compare them in the comparison tool.