We know that not every classroom has access to a colour printer — and that’s exactly why we’ve created this black and white edition of our brand new 2026 Periodic Table of the Elements.
All the accuracy and detail of our popular colour version, presented in a crisp, clean black and white format that prints perfectly on any standard printer, from a home inkjet to a school photocopier.
The Same Trusted Data, Printer Friendly
Just like our colour edition, this black and white version has been completely updated to align with the Royal Society of Chemistry’s 2024 periodic table — the most authoritative and widely referenced periodic table in British science education. Every atomic number, element symbol, element name, and atomic weight has been reviewed and updated to reflect the latest RSC data, making this printable a reliable reference tool for KS3, GCSE, and A-Level students and teachers alike.
All 118 officially named elements are included, featuring the six elements that have been officially named since our original version: Nihonium (Nh), Flerovium (Fl), Moscovium (Mc), Livermorium (Lv), Tennessine (Ts), and Oganesson (Og). Atomic weights shown in brackets indicate radioactive elements where no stable isotope exists, following RSC convention.
Understanding the Letter System
Without colour to differentiate element groups, we’ve developed a clear and simple letter-based identification system. A small letter code appears in the corner of each element box, allowing students to quickly identify which category each element belongs to. The eight labelled categories are:
- AM — Alkali Metals (Group 1) — highly reactive metals including Lithium, Sodium, and Potassium that react vigorously with water
- AE — Alkaline Earth Metals (Group 2) — reactive metals with similar but less extreme properties, including Magnesium and Calcium
- T — Transition Metals (Groups 3–12) — the large central block of metals including Iron, Copper, Gold, and Silver
- H — Halogens (Group 17) — highly reactive non-metals that readily form salts, including Fluorine, Chlorine, and Iodine
- N — Noble Gases (Group 18) — completely unreactive gases including Helium, Neon, and Argon
- L — Lanthanides — a series of rare earth metals shown in the first row below the main table, from Lanthanum to Lutetium
- A — Actinides — a series of largely radioactive elements shown in the second row below the main table, from Actinium to Lawrencium
- M — Metalloids — elements that display properties of both metals and non-metals, including Boron, Silicon, Germanium, Arsenic, Antimony, and Tellurium
Elements in Groups 13–16 that don’t fall into one of the named categories above are shown without a letter label, consistent with the RSC’s approach of identifying these elements by their group number rather than a collective category name.
Hydrogen, as a unique element that doesn’t truly belong to any group despite sitting in the Group 1 column, is shown without a letter label to reflect its special status in the periodic table.
An Extra Feature — Metalloids Included
One addition that sets this black and white version apart from our colour edition is the explicit identification of Metalloids. These fascinating elements sit on the boundary between metals and non-metals, displaying characteristics of both. They’re an important concept in chemistry education and are identified here with the letter M for easy reference — something students studying GCSE chemistry will find particularly useful when learning about the properties and trends of different element types.
Who Is This Printable For?
This printable is ideal for teachers who need a classroom resource that works on a standard photocopier, schools printing in bulk where colour printing isn’t practical, students who want a desk reference for revision that’s cheap and easy to print at home, and home educators looking for a reliable, curriculum-aligned chemistry resource. The A4 format works equally well as a single desk reference sheet, photocopied for an entire class, or laminated for a classroom display.
Pair It With Our Periodic Table Stickers
Want to bring some colour to your periodic table displays? Check out our Periodic Table of the Elements Sticker Collection! Featuring all 118 elements across three sticker packs (sold separately), these colourful stickers are perfect for classroom displays, student folders, and lab books — and they even work as brilliant reward stickers. Imagine awarding a Gold (Au) sticker for top marks or an Einsteinium (Es) sticker for academic excellence!
