Metals are usually solids at room temperature (with mercury as an exception) and have high melting and boiling points. They are good conductors of heat and electricity. Furthermore, metals are malleable (can be flattened into thin sheets) and ductile (can be drawn into wires). They are located on the left side of the Periodic Table.

In contrast, non-metals are usually solids or gases at room temperature with low melting and boiling points (boron and carbon are exceptions). They are poor conductors of heat and electricity. Most non-metallic solids are brittle and are neither malleable nor ductile. They are located at the top right-hand side of the Periodic Table.