How many confirmed chemical elements are there in the Periodic Table?

The number of confirmed chemical elements in the Periodic Table is 118. This total includes all elements that have been officially recognized and named by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). As of October 2023, these elements range from hydrogen, the first and lightest element, to oganesson, the heaviest element currently recognized.

The importance of recognizing that there are 118 confirmed elements lies in the ongoing nature of research in chemistry and physics, as new elements can be synthesized and confirmed in laboratories, often adding to our understanding of atomic structure and properties. Elements that have not been confirmed or accepted do not contribute to this tally.

Therefore, while 114, 112, and 116 may have been previously understood figures based on earlier research or unconfirmed discoveries, they fall short of representing the current total of confirmed elements that exist in the Periodic Table today.