
Best Tricks and Mnemonics to Memorise Periodic Table Quickly
We know that when it comes to the periodic table, it is considered to be one of the most challenging topics in Chemistry. Students spend hours memorising it and yet fail to recall it when required. The periodic table is an arrangement of chemical elements within the form of a table based on their atomic numbers and electronic configurations. The elements are unit arranged by their periods horizontally, whereas the same groups are unit placed vertically below one another. The elements in similar groups have similar properties. Here, we present a unique and easy approach of nailing down the periodic table, and you may for sure retain it without too much effort!
Memorise the Periodic Table
How you memorise the table depends on what works best for you and your learning style. However, here are some recommendations that will help:
Break Down the Table into Sections: You may memorise element groups (different colour groups), go one row at a time, or learn in sets of twenty elements. It's going to be useful to view an ordered list of the elements.
Use Colour to Learn Element Groups: If you wish to learn the element groups additionally to element symbols and names, follow writing the elements using completely different coloured pencils or markers for every element group.
The Periodic Table
Print multiple copies of the blank periodic table to practise filling within the symbols or names of the elements. It's best to learn the element symbols that go along with the names, write in the symbols, and then add the names.
Start little, with one or 2 rows or columns at a time. Whenever you get a chance, write out what you remember, so add to it. If you get bored learning the elements sequentially, you can skip round the table, however it's tougher to recollect that info weeks or years down the road. If you memorise the table, it's worth committing to your memory, therefore learn it over time (days or weeks) and apply writing it out.
Trick to Learn the Periodic Table
The Modern Periodic Table has eighteen vertical columns called ‘groups’ and seven horizontal rows called ‘periods’. Let us see what decides the placing of a component in a bound group and period.
K Shell – 2 × (1)2 = 2, therefore, the first period has two elements.
L Shell – 2 × (2)2 = eight, therefore, the second period has eight components.
M Shell – 2 × (3)2 = eighteen, however the outermost shell will have only eight electrons, therefore the third period conjointly has only eight elements.
Periodic Table Learning Trick
It is helpful when you put efforts in finding patterns and origin when learning the periodic table. Elements are organised on the table according to their atomic number, usually found near the top of the square. The atomic number refers to the number of protons an atom of that element has. For example, H has 1 proton, therefore its atomic number is one.
Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev was born in Tobolsk in Western Siberia, Russia on 8 February 1834. The arrangement of elements he proposed is termed Mendeléev’s periodic table.
The periodic table proved to be the unifying principle in chemistry. It was the motivation for the invention of some new elements.
Periodic Table consists of names, symbols, atomic numbers, and atomic weight of the component.
The table is organised in 2 manners, elements within each vertical column are similar or have one thing in common known as groups whereas elements in one period have a similar number of electron shells forms.
Metals reside on the left side of the table, whereas non-metals reside on the right.
There are 118 confirmed elements within the periodic table. Among those, ninety elements are often found in nature, others are artificial .
Mind Tricks to Help
Create Relations – Try and remember the element with the help of a background story. Try to establish relations between elements and things that might help you memorise them.
Mnemonic Devices – Use words that you’ll be able to associate with the elements. You'll be able to create something that rhymes or reads like a string.
Make Use of Images – Pictures are often used to associate elements. how does one recognise that A stands for Apple? It’s simply your brain associating the alphabet with the word.
Make Use of Songs – You can place the name of elements into songs and then sing them to memorise them.
Make a Phrase – You can remember using the primary letters or symbols of the elements. For instance, for the primary 9 elements, you may use:
Happy Hector Likes Beer But Couldn't Obtain Food.
H - Hydrogen
He - Helium
Li - Lithium
Be - Beryllium
B - boron
C - Carbon
N - Nitrogen
O - oxygen
F - Fluorine
Summary
Memorising the periodic table is vital because it's organised and provides loads of information concerning elements. Also, it makes students perceive how elements relate to one another. It's used to predict the properties of every element. Groups and periods provide info concerning the elements sharing similar characteristics. The table provides important info which may be utilised in the equations.
FAQs on Memorise Periodic Table Easily for Exams
1. How can I memorise the periodic table easily?
The easiest way to memorise the periodic table is to learn it in groups, periods, and blocks instead of trying to memorise all 118 elements at once. Breaking it into patterns makes recall much faster and more logical.
- Learn elements group-wise (e.g., Group 1 – Alkali metals: Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr).
- Memorise period by period to understand atomic number progression.
- Use mnemonic sentences for difficult sequences.
- Focus first on the first 20 elements and common elements like H, C, N, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca.
- Practice writing the table repeatedly from memory.
2. What is the best mnemonic to remember the periodic table?
A mnemonic for the periodic table is a memory sentence where each word represents an element’s symbol in order. For example, for the first 10 elements: Happy He Likes Beer But Could Not Offer Food represents H, He, Li, Be, B, C, N, O, F, Ne.
- Create short, funny, or meaningful sentences.
- Keep mnemonics group-specific for easier recall.
- Revise aloud to strengthen memory retention.
3. How long does it take to memorise the periodic table?
It typically takes 1–2 weeks to memorise the periodic table effectively with daily practice and revision. The exact time depends on study method and consistency.
- First 20 elements: 1–2 days.
- Main group elements: 3–5 days.
- Transition and inner transition elements: 5–7 days.
- Daily 15–20 minute revision sessions improve retention.
4. Why is it important to memorise the periodic table?
Memorising the periodic table is important because it helps you quickly understand atomic number, electron configuration, periodic trends, and chemical properties. Knowing element positions allows you to:
- Predict valency and bonding behavior.
- Understand trends like atomic radius and electronegativity.
- Write correct chemical formulas such as NaCl or CaCO3.
- Solve numerical and conceptual chemistry problems faster.
5. How do you memorise the first 20 elements of the periodic table?
To memorise the first 20 elements, learn them in order of increasing atomic number (1–20) and group them logically. The first 20 elements are: H, He, Li, Be, B, C, N, O, F, Ne, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, Ar, K, Ca.
- Divide into blocks of 5 elements.
- Use flashcards with symbol and atomic number.
- Practice writing them daily from memory.
- Relate them to their groups (e.g., Na and K are alkali metals).
6. Is it necessary to memorise all 118 elements of the periodic table?
No, it is not always necessary to memorise all 118 elements, but knowing the first 30–40 elements and major groups is highly recommended. Most chemistry problems focus on:
- Main group elements (Groups 1–2 and 13–18).
- Common transition metals like Fe, Cu, Zn, Ag.
- Lanthanides and actinides conceptually rather than individually.
7. How can I memorise periodic table groups and periods quickly?
You can memorise periodic table groups and periods quickly by focusing on group similarities and repeating patterns across periods. Groups share similar valence electron configurations.
- Group 1: ns1 configuration (e.g., Li, Na, K).
- Group 17: ns2np5 (halogens like F, Cl, Br).
- Group 18: ns2np6 (noble gases like Ne, Ar).
- Learn trends across a period (atomic size decreases left to right).
8. What is the easiest way to remember periodic table symbols?
The easiest way to remember periodic table symbols is to connect the symbol to the element’s English or Latin name. Many symbols come from Latin names.
- Na → Natrium (Sodium).
- K → Kalium (Potassium).
- Fe → Ferrum (Iron).
- Cu → Cuprum (Copper).
9. How do toppers memorise the periodic table for exams?
Toppers memorise the periodic table using active recall, spaced repetition, and understanding periodic trends rather than rote learning. Their strategy usually includes:
- Writing the periodic table daily from memory.
- Using flashcards or apps for quick testing.
- Understanding trends like ionisation energy and electronegativity.
- Solving practice questions involving elements and compounds.
10. How can I remember periodic trends while memorising the periodic table?
You can remember periodic trends by linking them to element position in the periodic table. The key trends follow consistent patterns:
- Atomic radius decreases across a period and increases down a group.
- Ionisation energy increases across a period and decreases down a group.
- Electronegativity increases across a period.
- Metallic character increases down a group.


































