How to know if an element is a metal nor non metal

Periodic Table Position:

• Metals are generally found on the left side and in the center of the periodic table. This includes the alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, and inner transition metals.
• Nonmetals are generally found on the right side of the periodic table, above the staircase line (except for Hydrogen, which is a nonmetal but located on the left).

General Properties:

• Metals typically have properties like being shiny (lustrous), malleable (can be hammered into thin sheets), ductile (can be drawn into wires), good conductors of heat and electricity, and tend to lose electrons to form positive ions.
• Nonmetals typically have properties like being dull in appearance, brittle (if solid), poor conductors of heat and electricity, and tend to gain electrons to form negative ions.