A radical that carries an electric charge. A positively charged radical is called a "radical cation" (e.g., the benzene radical cation C₆H₆^.+); a negatively charged radical is called a "radical anion" (e.g., the benzene radical anion C₆H₆^{. -} or the benzophenone radical anion Ph₂C-O^{. -}). Commonly, but not necessarily, the odd electron and the charge are associated with the same atom.

Unless the positions of unpaired spin and charge can be associated with specific atoms, superscript dot and charge designations should be placed in the order ^.+ or ^{. -} suggested by the name "radical ion", (e.g C₃H₆^.+).

Note: In the previous edition of the Glossary, it was recommended to place the charge designation directly above the centrally placed dot. However, this format is now discouraged because of the difficulty of extending it to ions bearing more than one charge, and/or more than one unpaired electron.

In mass spectroscopic usage the symbol for the charge precedes the dot representing the unpaired electron.