How many valence shell electrons does the element carbon have

4 electrons in the valence shell.

For an atom, the first electron shell holds 2 electrons.

The next holds 8 electrons.

The atomic number of carbon is 6. This means a neutral atom of carbon has 6 protons and 6 electrons.

In the first shell of carbon, there are 2 electrons.

This leaves us with 4 electrons for second shell.

The second shell is the outer shell, which is the valence shell. So 4 electrons in the valence shell.