Metals are mainly located on the left side and in the center of the periodic table, with a few special rows at the bottom.

Quick Scoop: Where metals sit

  • Most metals are on the left-hand side of the table (from the first column across to about the middle).
  • A staircase-shaped zig‑zag line separates metals (on the left) from nonmetals (on the right); elements along that line are metalloids.
  • The large block in the middle (groups 3–12) are the transition metals like iron, copper, and gold.
  • Two extra rows usually shown at the very bottom (lanthanides and actinides) are also metals, called inner transition metals.

Mini tour by region

  • Alkali metals: First column (group 1), except hydrogen; very reactive metals like sodium and potassium.
  • Alkaline earth metals: Second column (group 2), like magnesium and calcium.
  • Transition metals: Big central block (groups 3–12), including iron, nickel, copper, silver, and gold.
  • Post‑transition metals: Just to the right of the transition metals but left of the metalloids (e.g., aluminum, tin, lead).
  • Lanthanides and actinides: Two rows placed below the main table to save space; all are metals.

So, if you’re scanning a periodic table and wondering “where are metals located on the periodic table,” look left, look center, and don’t forget the two bottom rows.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.