This paper reviews most of the experimental results for the submonolayer adsorption of alkali metals on copper and nickel surfaces, with emphasis on the structural. findings. Where possible, comparisons are made between the overlayers on copper and those on nickel. The goal is to point out some of the most interesting recent structural results and to move toward a general understanding of these systems. The few structural results of coadsorption of gases with alkali metals are also described.