---
title: "Sulfur (S): Atomic Mass, Electron Configuration & Properties"
url: https://www.moldraw.com/elements/sulfur.html
description: "Sulfur (S), element 16: atomic mass 32.06, electron configuration [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴, group 16, period 3, p-block reactive nonmetal. Melting and boiling point, density, electronegativity and shells."
lang: en
publisher: Scidart Academy
generated: 2026-11-03
---
16S32.06

# Sulfur (S) – element 16

Sulfur is a chemical element with the symbol **S** and atomic number **16**. It is a reactive nonmetal in group 16 (chalcogens), period 3 of the periodic table (p-block), and is a solid at room temperature.

Sulfur (S) has atomic number 16, atomic mass 32.06 u and electron configuration [Ne] 3s2 3p4.

[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)

## Sulfur facts

| Symbol | S |
| --- | --- |
| Atomic number | 16 |
| Atomic mass | 32.06 u (g/mol) |
| Category | reactive nonmetal |
| Group | group 16 (chalcogens) |
| Period | 3 |
| Block | p-block |
| Phase at 20 °C | Solid |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4 |
| Noble-gas notation | [Ne] 3s2 3p4 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 6 |
| Valence electrons | 6 |

## Bohr model and shells

Sulfur has 16 electrons in 3 shells: 2, 8, 6. 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 | 388.36 K (115.2 °C) |
| --- | --- |
| Boiling point | 717.8 K (444.6 °C) |
| Density | 2.07 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.58 |
| Electron affinity | 200.41 kJ/mol |
| Ionization energies | 999.6, 2252, 3357 kJ/mol (1st, 2nd, 3rd) |
| Molar heat capacity | 22.75 J/(mol·K) |
| Discovered by | Ancient china |

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 S.

## Position in the periodic table

Tap any element to open its page.

## Molecules with sulfur

- [Penicillin G](https://www.moldraw.com/molecules/penicillin-g.html)
- [Sulfuric acid](https://www.moldraw.com/molecules/sulfuric-acid.html)

Rotate each one in 3D, or draw your own structure in [MolDraw](https://www.moldraw.com/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the atomic mass of sulfur?

The atomic mass of sulfur is 32.06 u, so one mole of sulfur atoms weighs 32.06 g.

### What is the electron configuration of sulfur?

Sulfur has 16 electrons: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴, or [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴ in noble-gas notation. Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 6.

### How many valence electrons does sulfur have?

Sulfur has 6 valence electrons (group 16).

### Is sulfur a metal?

No. Sulfur is a nonmetal (reactive nonmetal).

### Where is sulfur on the periodic table?

Sulfur is in group 16 (chalcogens), period 3, in the p-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.