Find the element’s group on the periodic table
Determine its valence electrons
For main-group metals, use the group charge pattern
Group 1 elements: +1
Group 2 elements: +2
Group 13 elements: +3
Group 15 elements: -3
Group 16 elements: -2
Group 17 elements: -1
Group 18 elements: 0
For transition metals, check the specific compound or oxidation state
Use the total charge of the compound to solve for the element’s charge
For ions, the charge is shown as the superscript on the ion symbol
For neutral atoms, the charge is 0
For polyatomic ions, use the known ion charge
Verify by balancing charges in the formula