Atomic size: The term atomic size refers to the radius of an atom.

The
atomic size may be visualised as the distance between the centre of the
nucleus and the outermost shell of an isolated atom.
Atomic radii can be measured by experimental techniques such as X-ray
diffraction. They are often reported in angstroms 1A° , 1 A° =10-10 m2,
nanometers 110-9 m2, or picometers 110-12 m2.

The atomic radius of hydrogen atom is 37 pm.

Variation of Atomic Size Across a period and Down the Groups

The atoms vary in size in a regular way as you go down a group or across a
period. In general,

Atomic radius increases as you go down a group.

Atomic radius decreases as you go from left to right in a period.

Relative Atomic Sizes of the Representative Elements

1 2 13 14 15 16 17 18

1
H He

2
Be B C N O F Ne
Li

3 Sizes of
Al Si P S Cl Ar atoms
Na Mg
tend to
increase
4
down a
Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
K
Ca group

5
In Sn Sb Te I Xe
Rb Sr

Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn
Cs Ba

Sizes of atoms tend to decrease across a period

 You will see that the atomic radius decreases in moving from left to
right along a period. This is due to an increase in nuclear charge which
tends to pull the electrons closer to the nucleus and reduces the size of
the atom.
You will see that the atomic size increases down the group. This is
because new shells are being added as we go down the group. This
increases the distance between the outermost electrons and the nucleus
so that the atomic size increases in spite of the increase in nuclear charge.

n=1
Hydrogen
(H)

n=2

n=1
Lithium
(Li)

n=3

n=2
Sodium
(Na) n = 1