Element charge lookup

What Is the Charge of Niobium?

Niobium commonly forms Nb3+ Nb5+ in introductory ionic compounds.

Quick answer: Niobium usually has a common ionic charge of +3 or +5, written as Nb3+ or Nb5+.
ElementNiobium
SymbolNb
Atomic number41
Common ionic charge+3, +5
Common ionsNb3+, Nb5+

Why Niobium has this charge

Niobium is a transition metal. Transition metals can have multiple charges, so compound names and roman numerals matter.

This is a classroom reference range, not an exhaustive list of all oxidation states.

Niobium charge examples

NbCl3

Niobium chloride

Nb3+ balances chloride ions.

Nb2O3

Niobium oxide

Niobium can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.

FAQ

Is Niobium charge the same as oxidation state?

Ionic charge is the charge on an actual ion. Oxidation state is a bookkeeping number used inside compounds. They can match, but they are not always the same thing.

How do I use this in formulas?

Combine positive and negative ions so the total charge is zero. You can also use the ionic compound calculator.

Sources and data notes

More element charges