Charge quantization is the concept that every stable and independent object (meaning an object that can exist independently for a prolonged period of time) has a charge that is aninteger multiple of the elementary charge e. Thus, e.g., a charge can be exactly 0 e, or exactly 1 e, −1 e, 2 e, etc., but not, say, ¹⁄₂ e, or −3.8 e, etc.

However, this statement must not be interpreted to include quarks and quasiparticles, since neither quarks nor quasiparticles possess the ability to exist on their own for prolonged periods of time. Quarks have charges that are integer multiples of ¹⁄₃ e.

This is the reason for the terminology "elementary charge": it is meant to imply that it is an indivisible unit of charge.