Carbon is the element with atomic number 6, a non-metal in Group IVa (Group 14) and Period 2 of the periodic table. It has several different isotopes, the most common of which is ¹²₆C (carbon-12). Carbon-12 is the standard for atomic weights. Carbon-14 is a radioactive material with a half-life of 5730 years, and it is this isotope that is used in carbon dating. The atomic weight of carbon is 12.011.

Carbo means "charcoal" in Latin. Carbon occurs in nature as several different materials, such as coal, coke, charcoal, diamond and graphite. There is carbon in all living matter.

The electron configuration of carbon is 1s²2s²2p². Carbon forms covalent compounds.

Carbon occurs naturally in three different allotropes. These are diamond, graphite, and amorphous (without structure) carbon, which is a type of graphite. The first two are discussed in further depth on this website. Scientists have also made allotropes called buckminsterfullerenes.