PDG particle numbering scheme
The PDG particle numbering scheme by the Particle Data Group (PDG) assigns a unique code to each type of particle. These codes are commonly called PDGID (or PDG ID). They are used widely across particle physics, e.g. in all modern MC event generators. The numbering includes all known elementary particles (electrons, W bosons, …), composite particles (mesons, baryons, …) and atomic nuclei. It also provides codes for hypothetical particles beyond the Standard Model. The numbering of hadrons follows a logical scheme based on their quark content and quantum numbers, so that arbitrary hadrons can be numbered. Particles are assigned a positive PDGID, antiparticles a negative one. The PDG convention for mesons is used, so that K+ and B+ are defined to be particles (not antiparticles).
Table of some common PDGIDs
The corresponding antiparticles have the same number with a minus sign.
| Quarks | |
|---|---|
| Symbol | PDGID |
| d | 1 |
| u | 2 |
| s | 3 |
| c | 4 |
| b | 5 |
| t | 6 |
| b' | 7 |
| t' | 8 |
| Leptons | |
|---|---|
| Symbol | PDGID |
| e– | 11 |
| νe | 12 |
| μ– | 13 |
| νμ | 14 |
| τ– | 15 |
| ντ | 16 |
| τ'– | 17 |
| ντ' | 18 |
| Gauge and Higgs bosons | |
|---|---|
| Symbol | PDGID |
| g | 9 and 21 |
| γ | 22 |
| Z | 23 |
| W+ | 24 |
| h0 or H01 | 25 |
| H+ | 37 |
See also
PDGID should not be confused with PID, which generally stands for experimental particle identification.
Learn more
PDG numbering scheme documentation – this document is from 2007, for any changes check the latest PDG review.
