Is Hydrogen a Metal? (And Why?)

No, hydrogen is not a metal. It is a nonmetal. It is sometimes placed in the same column of the periodic table as the alkali metals, ¹ which are all metals, ² but hydrogen behaves very differently from them.

Well, this was just a simple answer. But there are few more things to know about this topic which will make your concept super clear.

So let’s dive right into it.

Why is hydrogen a nonmetal?

Hydrogen is a nonmetal because it has many of the properties of nonmetals. For example, it is a gas at room temperature, it is not a good conductor of heat or electricity, and it forms covalent bonds with other elements. ³

Hydrogen also has a relatively higher ionization energy, which means that it does not lose electrons easily. ⁴

This is unlike metals, which typically have high ionization energies and lose electrons to form cations.

Here are some of the properties of hydrogen that are more characteristic of nonmetals than metals:

• Hydrogen is a gas at room temperature, while most metals are solids.
• Hydrogen is not a good conductor of heat or electricity, while most metals are good conductors.
• Hydrogen forms covalent bonds with other elements, ⁵ while metals typically form ionic bonds.
• Hydrogen has a relatively higher ionization energy, while metals typically have low ionization energies. ⁶

Based on these properties, hydrogen is classified as a nonmetal.

Why was hydrogen classified as metal in earlier days?

Hydrogen was classified as a metal in earlier days because it was thought to have some of the properties of metals. For example, hydrogen is a gas at room temperature, but it can be liquefied and even solidified at very low temperatures. ⁷

In the early days of chemistry, scientists did not have the tools and knowledge that we have today. 

They were able to observe the properties of hydrogen, but they did not have a complete understanding of the underlying reasons for these properties. 

As a result, they classified hydrogen as a metal based on its similarities to other metals.

Today, we know that hydrogen is not a metal. It is a nonmetal because it has more properties in common with nonmetals than with metals. 

However, the classification of hydrogen as a metal in earlier days was based on the best information that was available at the time.

Nonmetallic properties that hydrogen have

Here are some of the nonmetallic properties of hydrogen:

• Hydrogen is a gas at room temperature.
• Hydrogen is not a good conductor of heat or electricity.
• Hydrogen forms covalent bonds with other elements.
• Hydrogen has a relatively higher ionization energy.
• Hydrogen is not shiny.
• Hydrogen is not malleable or ductile.
• Hydrogen is not a good conductor of sound.

These properties are all characteristic of nonmetals. 

For example, most nonmetals are gases at room temperature, they are not good conductors of heat or electricity, and they form covalent bonds. ⁸ Hydrogen has all of these properties, so it is classified as a nonmetal.

It is important to note that hydrogen has some properties that are also characteristic of metals. 

For example, hydrogen can be liquefied and even solidified at very low temperatures. ⁹

However, these properties are not as pronounced in hydrogen as they are in metals. As a result, hydrogen is classified as a nonmetal.

Metallic properties that hydrogen lack

Here are some of the metallic properties that hydrogen lacks:

• High luster. Metals typically have a high luster, which means that they reflect light well. Hydrogen does not have a high luster and appears dull.
• High density. Metals typically have a high density, which means that they are heavy for their size. Hydrogen has a low density and is very light.
• Good conductivity of heat and electricity. Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. ¹⁰ Hydrogen is a poor conductor of heat and electricity.
• Malleability and ductility. Metals are malleable and ductile, which means that they can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets or drawn into wires. ¹¹ Hydrogen is not malleable or ductile.
• High melting and boiling points. Metals typically have high melting and boiling points. Hydrogen has a low melting and boiling point.

These are just some of the metallic properties that hydrogen lacks. As a result, hydrogen is classified as a nonmetal.

How does hydrogen differ from alkali metals?

Hydrogen is similar to the alkali metals in that they both have one electron in their outer shell. However, hydrogen differs from the alkali metals in several ways.

• Hydrogen is a gas at room temperature, while the alkali metals are solids.
• Hydrogen is a poor conductor of heat and electricity, while the alkali metals are good conductors. ¹²
• Hydrogen forms covalent bonds with other elements, while the alkali metals typically form ionic bonds. ¹³
• Hydrogen has a relatively higher ionization energy, while the alkali metals have low ionization energies.

Based on these differences, hydrogen is classified as a nonmetal, while the alkali metals are classified as metals.

Here is a table that summarizes the differences between hydrogen and the alkali metals:

Further reading

• Why is Hydrogen a Nonmetal?
• Is Hydrogen a Noble Gas?
• Is Hydrogen an Alkali Metal?
• What Group is Hydrogen in?
• Why is Hydrogen in Group 1?

About author

Jay Rana

Jay is an educator and has helped more than 100,000 students in their studies by providing simple and easy explanations on different science-related topics. He is a founder of Pediabay and is passionate about helping students through his easily digestible explanations.

Read more about our Editorial process.

1. Boudreaux, K. A. (n.d.). The Parts of the Periodic Table. The Parts of the Periodic Table. https://www.angelo.edu/faculty/kboudrea/periodic/periodic_main1.htm
2. Information on Alkali Metals – Stanford Environmental Health & Safety. (n.d.). Information on Alkali Metals – Stanford Environmental Health & Safety. https://ehs.stanford.edu/reference/information-alkali-metals
3. Covalent Compounds | manoa.hawaii.edu/ExploringOurFluidEarth. (n.d.). Covalent Compounds | manoa.hawaii.edu/ExploringOurFluidEarth. https://manoa.hawaii.edu/exploringourfluidearth/chemical/chemistry-and-seawater/covalent-compounds
4. Ionization Energies. (2013, October 3). Chemistry LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Physical_Properties_of_Matter/Atomic_and_Molecular_Properties/Ionization_Energy/Ionization_Energies
5. Utdallas.edu https://personal.utdallas.edu/~scortes/ochem/OChem1_Lecture/Class_Materials/03_coval_bonding.pdf
6. Molar ionization energies of the elements – Wikipedia. (2013, October 4). Molar Ionization Energies of the Elements – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molar_ionization_energies_of_the_elements
7. Hydrogen storage – Wikipedia. (2014, December 19). Hydrogen Storage – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_storage
8. Covalent bond | Definition, Properties, Examples, & Facts. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/covalent-bond
9. Hydrogen Storage. (n.d.). Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-storage
10. Properties of metals – Metallic structure and bonding – Eduqas – GCSE Chemistry (Single Science) Revision – Eduqas – BBC Bitesize. (n.d.). BBC Bitesize. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z9m6v9q/revision/2
11. metal structures. (n.d.). Metal Structures. https://www.chemguide.co.uk/atoms/structures/metals.html
12. Alkali Metals: Facts About the Elements on the First Column of the Periodic Table. (2021, January 5). Alkali Metals: Facts About the Elements on the First Column of the Periodic Table | HowStuffWorks. https://science.howstuffworks.com/alkali-metals.htm
13. hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu (n.d.). http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/pertab/alkmet.html