Find tungsten's oxidation state in sodium tungstate, Na2WO4.
Two Na at +1 and four O at -2 give W = +6 — a perfect parallel to chromate CrO4 2- and molybdate MoO4 2-, the group 6 family resemblance in one line.
What Is the Charge of Tungsten?
Tungsten commonly forms W4+ W6+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Tungsten's principal states are +6 — tungstate ion WO4 2-, oxide WO3 — and +4 in WS2 and WC-adjacent chemistry. The tungsten everyone knows, though, is the neutral metal: the highest-melting element (3,422 °C), the old lightbulb's glowing wire.
| Element | Tungsten |
|---|---|
| Symbol | W |
| Atomic number | 74 |
| Common ionic charge | +4, +6 |
| Common ions | W4+, W6+ |
Visual reference
Tungsten element image and atomic model
Images are used as visual references; charge rules still depend on the compound.
Where Tungsten's charge options come from
Tungsten is [Xe]4f14 5d4 6s2, chromium and molybdenum's heavy sibling; all six valence electrons engage for the +6 maximum, and descending the group has made that top state gentle and stable — tungstate has none of chromate's oxidizing menace.
This is a classroom reference range, not an exhaustive list of all oxidation states.
The trap in Tungsten problems
Writing tungsten carbide as an ionic W4+ compound. WC is a metallic interstitial carbide — carbon atoms tucked into the tungsten lattice — closer to alloy than salt. Its hardness comes from that packing, not electron transfer; formal charges here are conventions at best.
Worked example: W in a formula problem
W4+ and W6+ in real compounds
WCl4
Tungsten chloride
W4+ balances chloride ions.
W2O3
Tungsten oxide
Tungsten can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
Questions students ask about tungsten
Do any organisms use tungsten's charges?
Yes — the deepest-branching hyperthermophilic microbes run tungsten (+4/+6) enzymes where every other life form uses molybdenum. It is the heaviest element known to be biologically essential to any organism.
What made electrochromic 'smart windows' pick WO3?
Injecting electrons nudges some W6+ toward W5+, and the film turns deep blue; reverse the voltage and it bleaches. A building-sized demonstration that color tracks charge state.
Why did lightbulb filaments have to be neutral tungsten?
Only charge-0 metal conducts and survives white heat; any oxidation to +6 oxide would evaporate the wire in seconds — hence the argon fill keeping oxygen away from the glowing metal.
How do I use this charge in formulas?
Combine positive and negative ions so the total charge is zero — or let the ionic compound calculator do the crossing for you. The full chart lives on the periodic table with charges.
Where this data comes from
Charges and element facts on this page are checked against the primary references below. Found an error? Email hello@periodictablewithcharges.com — corrections ship in the next content update. See how this site is edited.