| Lanthanoids | Actinoids |
| 1. | In lanthanoids, last differentiating electron occupies 4f orbital. | In actinoids, last differentiating electron occupies 5f orbital. |
| 2. | They are the elements of first inner transition series. | They are the elements of second inner transition series. |
| 3. | They are present in period 6. | They are present in period 7. |
| 4. | Most of lanthanoids (with exception of promethium) occur in nature. | Most of actinoids (with exception of uranium and thorium) are prepared in laboratory. |
| 5. | Most of lanthanoids (with exception of promethium) are non-radioactive. | All the actinoids are radioactive. |
| 6. | Lanthanoids do not form oxo cation. | Actinoids form oxo cation such as \(UO^{2+}_2\)2, PuO2+, UO+. |
| 7. | 4f orbitals in lanthanoids have higher binding energy. | 5f orbitals in actinoids have lower binding energy. |
| 8. | Contraction in atomic and ionic radii is relatively less in lanthanoids. | Contraction in atomic and ionic radii is relatively greater in actinoids due to poor shielding of 5f electrons. |
| 9. | Lanthanoids show +2, +3 and +4 oxidation states. | Actinoids show +3, +4, +5, +6, +7 oxidation states. |
| 10. | Lanthanoids have less tendency to form complexes. | Actinoids have greater tendency to form complexes. |
| 11. | Some ions of lanthanoids are coloured. | Most of the ions of actinoids are deeply coloured. |
| 12. | Lanthanoid hydroxides are less basic in nature. | Actinoid hydroxides are more basic in nature. |