Many isotopes of chemical elements can be used for NMR analysis.
Commonly used nuclei:
* , the most commonly used spin- nucleus in NMR investigation, has been studied using many forms of NMR. Hydrogen is highly abundant, especially in biological systems. It is the nucleus most sensitive to NMR signal (apart from , which is not commonly used due to its instability and radioactivity). Proton NMR produces narrow chemical shift with sharp signals. Fast acquisition of quantitative results (peak integrals in stoichiometric ratio) is possible due to short relaxation time. The  signal has been the sole diagnostic nucleus used for clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
* , a spin-1 nucleus commonly utilized as signal-free medium in the form of deuterated solvents during proton NMR, to avoid signal interference from hydrogen-containing solvents in measurement of  solutes. Also used in determining the behavior of lipids in lipid membranes and other solids or liquid crystals as it is a relatively non-perturbing label which can selectively replace . Alternatively,  can be detected in media specially labeled with . Deuterium resonance is commonly used in high-resolution NMR spectroscopy to monitor drifts in the magnetic field strength (lock) and to monitor the homogeneity of the external magnetic field.
* , is very sensitive to NMR. There is a very low percentage in natural helium, and subsequently has to be purified from . It is used mainly in studies of endohedral fullerenes, where its chemical inertness is beneficial to ascertaining the structure of the entrapping fullerene.
* , more sensitive than , yields sharper signals. The nuclear spin of B is 3 and that of B is . Quartz tubes must be used because borosilicate glass interferes with measurement.
*  spin-, is widely used, despite its relative paucity in naturally occurring carbon (approximately 1.1%). It is stable to nuclear decay. Since there is a low percentage in natural carbon, spectrum acquisition on samples which have not been experimentally enriched in  takes a long time. Frequently used for labeling of compounds in synthetic and metabolic studies. Has low sensitivity and moderately wide chemical shift range, yields sharp signals. Low percentage makes it useful by preventing spin-spin couplings and makes the spectrum appear less crowded. Slow relaxation means that spectra are not integrable unless long acquisition times are used.
* , spin-1, medium sensitivity nucleus with wide chemical shift range. Its large quadrupole moment interferes in acquisition of high resolution spectra, limiting usefulness to smaller molecules and functional groups with a high degree of symmetry such as the headgroups of lipids.
* , spin-, relatively commonly used. Can be used for isotopically labeling compounds. Very insensitive but yields sharp signals. Low percentage in natural nitrogen together with low sensitivity requires high concentrations or expensive isotope enrichment.
* , spin-, low sensitivity and very low natural abundance (0.037%), wide chemical shift range (up to 2000 ppm). Quadrupole moment causing line broadening. Used in metabolic and biochemical studies in studies of chemical equilibria.
* , spin-, relatively commonly measured. Sensitive, yields sharp signals, has a wide chemical shift range.
* , spin-, 100% of natural phosphorus. Medium sensitivity, wide chemical shift range, yields sharp lines. Spectra tend to have a moderate amount of noise. Used in biochemical studies and in coordination chemistry with phosphorus-containing ligands.
*  and , spin-, broad signal.  is significantly more sensitive, preferred over  despite its slightly broader signal. Organic chlorides yield very broad signals. Its use is limited to inorganic and ionic chlorides and very small organic molecules.
* , spin-, relatively small quadrupole moment, moderately sensitive, very low natural abundance. Used in biochemistry to study calcium binding to DNA, proteins, etc.
* , used in studies of catalysts and complexes.
Other nuclei (usually used in the studies of their complexes and chemical bonding, or to detect presence of the element):