The chemical symbol for lead is

The chemical symbol for lead is

  1. Pd
  2. Pb ✓
  3. Ld
  4. Le

Explanation

Lead’s chemical symbol is Pb, which comes from its Latin name “plumbum.” Many element symbols derive from Latin or Greek names rather than English.

The symbol Pd stands for palladium, a different metal. Using two letters prevents confusion when writing chemical formulas and equations.

Lead is a heavy, soft metal that was once common in pipes and paint. Today we know lead is toxic, so its use is restricted in most applications.