Carbon Electron Configuration

Explore the full electron configuration of carbon (Z=6): notation, orbital box diagram, and quantum numbers for every electron.

The carbon electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p², written [He] 2s² 2p² in noble-gas shorthand.

Use the Carbon Electron Configuration

6

Element 6 — Carbon

1s² 2s² 2p²

Noble-gas notation: [He] 2s² 2p² • 4 valence electrons

Electron Configuration Notations

Full spdf Notation 1s² 2s² 2p²
Noble-Gas Shorthand [He] 2s² 2p²
Subshell Breakdown
1s² 2s² 2p²
Valence Shell 2s² 2p² (4 electrons, n=2)
Core Electrons 1s² (2 electrons, [He] core)
Unpaired Electrons 2 (in 2px and 2py)
Hund's Rule: The two 2p electrons occupy separate orbitals (2px and 2py) with parallel spins rather than pairing in one orbital. This minimizes electron-electron repulsion and gives carbon its biradical character in excited states.

Quick answer

The carbon electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p², written [He] 2s² 2p² in noble-gas shorthand. Carbon (Z = 6) has 2 core and 4 valence electrons, and its two 2p electrons sit unpaired in separate orbitals with parallel spins (Hund's rule).

Examples

SubshellElectronsOrbital boxes
1s2[↑↓]
2s2[↑↓]
2p2 (unpaired)[↑] [↑] [ ]

Switch tabs for the orbital box diagram and quantum numbers of all 6 electrons.

Summary

Carbon (atomic number 6) has the ground-state electron configuration 1s² 2s² 2p². Its two valence electrons in the 2p subshell follow Hund's rule, sitting in separate orbitals with parallel spins. This tool displays the full spdf notation, the condensed noble-gas notation [He] 2s² 2p², an interactive orbital box diagram, and a table of all four quantum numbers for each of carbon's six electrons.

How it works

  1. Carbon has 6 protons, so it also has 6 electrons in the neutral atom.
  2. Electrons fill orbitals from lowest to highest energy following the Aufbau principle.
  3. The first two electrons fill the 1s orbital, the next two fill 2s, and the last two enter separate 2p orbitals (Hund's rule).
  4. Use the tabs to switch between full notation, noble-gas shorthand, the orbital box diagram, and the quantum number table.
  5. Hover over each orbital box to see the spin of the electron inside.

Use cases

  • Review carbon's electron configuration for a chemistry exam.
  • Understand how Hund's rule applies to the 2p subshell.
  • Look up the four quantum numbers (n, l, mₗ, mₛ) for each carbon electron.
  • Compare the full spdf notation to the noble-gas shorthand.
  • Teach or visualize orbital filling order with an interactive box diagram.
  • Verify why carbon is tetravalent and forms four covalent bonds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-05-28 · Reviewed by Nham Vu