Identify the atomic number of the element
Determine the total number of electrons
Fill orbitals in order of increasing energy
Use the Aufbau principle
Follow the Pauli exclusion principle
Apply Hund’s rule for degenerate orbitals
Use the orbital filling order:
1s
2s
2p
3s
3p
4s
3d
4p
5s
4d
5p
6s
4f
5d
6p
7s
5f
6d
7p
Place electrons in each orbital with a maximum of two electrons
Write the configuration using superscripts for electron counts
Check that the total electrons match the atomic number
Use noble gas shorthand if needed