Electric current is the movement and flow of electrically charged particles. The particles that flow to produce electric current are called charge carriers. In most cases, the charge carriers are electrons, which are negatively charged particles found in atoms. Electrons can move freely within certain materials, such as metals, and when an electrical potential difference (voltage) is applied across a conductor, the electrons are forced to move, creating an electric current.

In some instances, electric current can also be carried by positively charged particles, such as protons or ions, or even by negatively charged ions. However, the most common type of electric current is carried by electrons.