Step 1: Find valence e- for all atoms. Add them together.

C-4
H-1x4=4

Total=8

Step2: Find octet e- for each atom and add them together.

C-8
H-2x4=8

Total=16

Step3: Gives you bonding e-. Subtract step 1 total from step 2

16-8=8e-

Step 4: Find number of bonds by diving the number in step 3 by 2(because each bond is made of 2 e-)

8e-/2= 4 bond pairs

Step 5: Find the number of nonbonding (lone pairs) e-. Subtract step 3 number from step 1.

8-8= 0e-=0 lone pairs

Use information from step 4 and 5 to draw the lewis structure.

Carbon goes in the centre.

Lewis dot structure of CH₄

Alternatively a dot method can be used to draw the lewis structure.
Calculate the total valence electrons in the molecule.
C-4
H-1x4=4

Total=8

Put carbon in center and arrange hydrogen atoms on the sides.Arrange electrons between carbon and hydrogen atoms.