I’ve produced a printable periodic table for posting on the wall in my classroom (updated April 2017). I thought other teachers might wish to do the same, so I’m making it available here.
This version is designed to be printed in color on 4×6 photo paper (I chose matte finish for less glare, but glossy might work too). I had mine printed at Amazon Prints for about $11.00, though many local or chain shops may have special deals that would allow you to get this printed pretty cheaply. Each individual element block is then taped together on the back or glued onto a backing material. The final dimensions are about 6 feet wide and 3-4 feet tall.
The periodic table features include:
- Element name, symbol, atomic number, and atomic mass
- Includes updated names and symbols adopted by IUPAC through 2016
- Common ions for most elements
- Color-coded background for element families/groups
- Symbols in black (solid), blue (liquid), or red (gas) elements (at room temp.) Synthetic elements are in gray.
- Group numbers above each column (1 – 18)
To print your own, here is a zip file of jpeg photos that you can upload or bring to your photo printer:
Periodic Table Images ZIP file
The source files used to produce the images are provided here should you want to make any adjustments. The element database is an excel file, which is used in combination with word’s mail merge capabilities.
Note: images were produced by first saving the merged word document as a PDF and then using ImageMagick command:
magick.exe -density 300 PT-4x6-Color-Merged.pdf[0-117] -background white -alpha remove -resize 770x996 -gravity center -extent 800x1200 element.jpg
Version 1.0
My previous classroom had a very large blank wall to accommodate a very large periodic table. This is how it looked in my classroom.
The data is mostly based on the information in the element data base downloaded from Central High School’s website in St. Paul, MN, with a few corrections and additions from Wikipedia.org and WebElements.com.
The Periodic Table
Here are the printable versions:
Periodic Table – Merged (MS Word .doc)
Periodic Table – Merged (PDF)
UPDATE: I’ve since created a version with two elements to a page so it’s not quite as huge.
Merged-half-page (MS Word .docx)
Source Files
These files were used to produce the periodic table using MS Word’s mail merge capabilities. Should you like to change it to your liking, you can download these files and produce your own.
PT Element Data Base (MS Excel .xls)
PT Mail Merge Template (MS Word .doc)
PT Mail Merge Template – half page (MS Word .doc)
Awesome Resource! Thanks.
This is Wonderful. Just what I was looking for!!!! Thank you for sharing your hard work!
Love this.
This is a great resource. Thank you so much! I have been looking for a larger version of the periodic table that I currently have. This will allow my students to create the periodic table!
That is a great idea to have students do an “adopt-an-element” type activity and illustrate each square accordingly.
I was planning on creating my own for my room. You have saved me! Thank you so much!!
Currently having my lab rebuilt ENTIRELY. Headmaster wants the room to be a showcase. Old, well-used Periodic Tables are no longer acceptable. This is a neat idea. Bet I can find some students to help with the project!
Hello,
This is a wonderful and well planned idea! I’d like to use the half-page format for my one of small classroom’s walls. However, I download the file and it gives me the full size version. Any ideas?
It does appear that each element is a whole page, but Word is set to “2 Pages per sheet” so when it’s printed, it will appear correctly.
First year teaching science. Previously taught reading. I love that this is interactive and versatile. Thanks for sharing and helping start the year off right.
Do you have a control somewhere that identifies which colors correspond, etc? I’d like to post something with the table on the wall.
Sorry, no, I don’t have a color key, though that is a good idea. Let us know if you come up with a good method.
Thanks mate! You saved me a lot of work.
Thank you so much!! I have 5 kids and teach full time, I never have time to create visuals like this! <3
These are perfect, thank you!