---
title: "Hafnium (Hf): Atomic Mass, Electron Configuration & Properties"
url: https://www.moldraw.com/elements/hafnium.html
description: "Hafnium (Hf), element 72: atomic mass 178.49, electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d² 6s², group 4, period 6, d-block transition metal. Melting and boiling point, density, electronegativity and shells."
lang: en
publisher: Scidart Academy
generated: 2026-11-03
---
72Hf178.49

# Hafnium (Hf) – element 72

Hafnium is a chemical element with the symbol **Hf** and atomic number **72**. It is a transition metal in group 4, period 6 of the periodic table (d-block), and is a solid at room temperature.

Hafnium (Hf) has atomic number 72, atomic mass 178.49 u and electron configuration [Xe] 4f14 5d2 6s2.

[Download periodic table PDF](https://www.moldraw.com/printables/periodic-table.pdf)[Open interactive periodic table](https://www.moldraw.com/tools/free-chem-tools/interactive-periodic-table.html)

## Hafnium facts

| Symbol | Hf |
| --- | --- |
| Atomic number | 72 |
| Atomic mass | 178.49 u (g/mol) |
| Category | transition metal |
| Group | group 4 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | d-block |
| Phase at 20 °C | Solid |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d2 |
| Noble-gas notation | [Xe] 4f14 5d2 6s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 10, 2 |

## Bohr model and shells

Hafnium has 72 electrons in 6 shells: 2, 8, 18, 32, 10, 2. Full configuration and noble-gas notation are in the table; work out any element or ion with the [electron configuration calculator](https://www.moldraw.com/tools/free-chem-tools/electron-configuration-calculator.html).

## Physical and atomic properties

| Melting point | 2506 K (2232.8 °C) |
| --- | --- |
| Boiling point | 4876 K (4602.9 °C) |
| Density | 13.31 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.3 |
| Electron affinity | 17.18 kJ/mol |
| Ionization energies | 658.5, 1440, 2250 kJ/mol (1st, 2nd, 3rd) |
| Molar heat capacity | 25.73 J/(mol·K) |
| Discovered by | Dirk Coster |

Use the atomic mass in the [molar mass calculator](https://www.moldraw.com/tools/free-chem-tools/molar-mass-calculator.html) for any formula containing Hf.

## Position in the periodic table

Tap any element to open its page.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the atomic mass of hafnium?

The atomic mass of hafnium is 178.49 u, so one mole of hafnium atoms weighs 178.49 g.

### What is the electron configuration of hafnium?

Hafnium has 72 electrons: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s² 4f¹⁴ 5d², or [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d² 6s² in noble-gas notation. Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 10, 2.

### Is hafnium a metal?

Yes. Hafnium is a transition metal.

### Where is hafnium on the periodic table?

Hafnium is in group 4, period 6, in the d-block.

Data: [Periodic-Table-JSON](https://github.com/Bowserinator/Periodic-Table-JSON) (CC BY-SA 3.0); standard atomic weights from IUPAC (abridged). Values in brackets are the mass number of the longest-lived isotope.