Ion Calculator

An ion is an atom that has gained or lost electrons, giving it a positive or negative electrical charge — this calculator works out that charge from your atom's electron count. Enter the number of protons and number of electrons into the Ion Calculator to get the ion charge, charge type (cation or anion), charge magnitude, and electrons gained or lost. You can also add an optional element symbol for easy reference.

Total number of protons in the atom

Total number of electrons in the ion

Chemical symbol for reference

Results

Ion Charge

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Charge Type

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Charge Magnitude

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Electron Gain/Loss

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you calculate the charge of an ion?

Ion charge is calculated by subtracting the number of electrons from the number of protons. If protons > electrons, the ion is positive (cation). If electrons > protons, the ion is negative (anion).

What is the difference between a cation and an anion?

A cation is a positively charged ion (has fewer electrons than protons), while an anion is a negatively charged ion (has more electrons than protons). The charge magnitude determines how many electrons were gained or lost.

Can an atom have zero charge?

Yes, when an atom has equal numbers of protons and electrons, it has zero net charge and is electrically neutral. This is the normal state for most atoms before they form ions.

What determines the maximum charge an ion can have?

The maximum positive charge is limited by the number of electrons an atom can lose (usually valence electrons), while maximum negative charge depends on how many electrons the atom can accommodate in its outer shells.

How does ion charge affect chemical bonding?

Ion charge determines how ions interact with each other. Opposite charges attract to form ionic bonds, while like charges repel. The magnitude of charge affects the strength of these interactions.

Why do some elements form multiple ion charges?

Elements with multiple valence states (like transition metals) can lose different numbers of electrons, forming ions with different charges. For example, iron can form Fe²⁺ or Fe³⁺ ions.