* By number: There are more nonmetals on the periodic table than metals.

* By mass: Metals make up the vast majority of the Earth's crust and mantle, so in that sense, there is more metallic mass.

Let's break it down:

* Metals: Occupy the left and middle sections of the periodic table. They typically have a shiny, silvery appearance, are good conductors of heat and electricity, and can be hammered into thin sheets (malleable) and drawn into wires (ductile). Examples include iron, copper, gold, silver, and aluminum.

* Nonmetals: Occupy the upper right-hand corner of the periodic table. They generally lack metallic properties, are poor conductors of heat and electricity, and are often brittle. Examples include oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine, and carbon.

* Metalloids: Lie along the "staircase" separating metals and nonmetals. They exhibit properties of both metals and nonmetals. Examples include silicon, germanium, and arsenic.

So, while there are more nonmetallic elements on the periodic table, metals make up the majority of the Earth's mass.