This list of key Wikipedia guidelines is a summary of the most important guidelines that are currently in use. For a more comprehensive but less detailed listing, see List of policies and guidelines. For a full set of guidelines, see Category:Wikipedia guidelines and its subcategories. See Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines for a general overview of what policies and guidelines are about, how they are made, and why we have them.

Shortcuts WP:LGL WP:GUIDELINES

Because there are a large number of guideline pages (over 200), they are subcategorized, using the ((subcat guideline)) template, according to their purpose.

• Behavioral guidelines outline ways for editors to behave and interact with each other on talk pages and elsewhere at Wikipedia.
• Content guidelines apply only to the article namespace (unless otherwise specified in the guideline), and offer advice on identifying and including encyclopedic information in articles.
• Deletion guidelines explain criteria and procedures for deleting unwanted pages.
• Editing guidelines usually provide non-content advice about categorization, navigation or other how-to-edit advice.
• Naming conventions detail the correct ways to name articles on particular topics.
• Notability guidelines outline the criteria that a subject must meet to merit a Wikipedia article.
• Style guidelines contain extensive advice on writing style, formatting, grammar, and more.

Assume good faith

Unless there is strong evidence to the contrary, assume that people who work on the project are trying to help it, not hurt it.

Conflict of interest

Do not use Wikipedia to promote yourself, your website, or your organization.

Disruptive editing

Participants with a pattern of edits that has the effect of disrupting progress toward improving an article or the fundamental project of building an encyclopedia may be blocked or banned indefinitely.

Do not disrupt Wikipedia to illustrate a point

State your point. However, do not spam Wikipedia, disingenuously nominate articles for deletion, push rules to their limits, or otherwise create work for other people just to prove your point.

Etiquette

Contributors have different views, perspectives, and backgrounds, sometimes varying widely. Treating others with respect is key to collaborating effectively in building an encyclopedia.

Please do not bite the newcomers

Many new contributors lack knowledge about Wikipedia policies. Nevertheless, always understand that new contributors are prospective "members" and are therefore our most valuable resource.

Signatures

Sign all of your posts on Wikipedia talk pages by typing ~~~~ to be accountable and to help others understand the conversation, but do not sign in articles.

Talk page guidelines

Talk pages are for polite discussion serving to improve the encyclopedia, and should not be used to express personal opinions on a subject.

User pages

You can use your user page to add a little information about yourself or to help you to use Wikipedia more effectively. However, remember that Wikipedia is not a blog, webspace provider, or social networking site.

See also:

• Category:Wikipedia behavioral guidelines

Autobiography

Avoid writing or editing an article about yourself, other than to correct unambiguous errors of fact.

Citing sources

For writing and formatting references using different citation styles.

Content forking

Articles should not be split into multiple articles just so each can advocate a different stance on the subject.

External links

External links should be kept minimal, meritable, and directly relevant to the article. Wikipedia is not an advertising opportunity.

Images

Images must be relevant to the article that they appear in, properly referenced, and large enough to reveal relevant details without overwhelming the text.

No disclaimers in articles

Wikipedia contains spoilers, potentially objectionable material, and more. There is generally no need to warn readers of this.

Non-free content

Non-free content—including all copyrighted content—can only be used in specific cases and must be employed judiciously.

Plagiarism

Duplicating the work of others without proper attribution is unethical and can bring the project into disrepute. Give credit where it's due.

Reliable sources

Information about identifying and using appropriate sources to comply with Wikipedia's Verifiability policy.

Spoiler

It is not acceptable to delete information on the basis that it might "spoil" a reader's experience of a narrative work.

Wikipedia is not for things made up one day

Resist the temptation to write about the new, great thing you or your friends just thought up.

See also:

• Category:Wikipedia content guidelines

Deletion process

An overview of the processes by which articles get deleted.

See also:

• Category:Wikipedia deletion guidelines

Be bold

Wikis develop faster when people fix problems, correct grammar, add facts, make sure the language is precise, and so on. We expect everyone to be bold. It is okay.

Categories, lists, and navigation templates

This guideline helps editors choose appropriate grouping techniques.

Categorization

Link articles upwards to create categories.

Overcategorization

Overcategorization makes categories more crowded and less useful.

Subpages

Creation of subpages in main namespace is not allowed. Subpages may be created in other namespaces using the slash (/) character.

See also:

• Category:Wikipedia editing guidelines

Category names

Category names should be specific, neutral, inclusive, and follow certain conventions.

Image file names

Image files should have readable file names.

Naming conventions (capitalization)

Always lowercase any words following the first in a page title, unless they are part of a proper noun.

Naming conventions (use English)

The title of an article should generally use the version of the name of the subject that is most common in the English language, as found in reliable sources. This makes it easy to find, and easy to compare information with other sources.

See also:

• Category:Wikipedia naming conventions

Notability

Only subjects that have received significant outside attention warrant being included on Wikipedia.

See also:

• Category:Wikipedia notability guidelines

Manual of Style

This is the most important style guideline, and the "parent" of all the other style guidelines. It provides guidance on matters such as spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and formatting.

Manual of Style (dates and numbers)

Consistent standards in the use and formatting of dates and numbers make articles easier to read, write, and edit.

Manual of Style (footnotes)

Footnotes serve two purposes. First, to add explanatory material that might be distracting if included in the main text. Second, to present citations of sources that support the text's assertions.

Manual of Style (layout)

Common principles guide formatting of large-scale article components in most cases. Complicated articles may be best modeled on the layout of an existing article of appropriate structure.

Manual of Style (lead section)

The lead should define the topic and summarize the body of the article with appropriate weight.

Manual of Style (linking)

Provide links that aid navigation and understanding, but avoid cluttering the page with obvious, redundant and useless links.

Manual of Style (words to watch)

Be cautious with expressions that may introduce bias. Use clear, direct language.

See also:

• Category:Wikipedia style guidelines
• Wikipedia:WikiProject Manual of Style to join a group of editors that maintain the guidelines in this category

• All recent changes in guidelines.
• Tips on avoiding common mistakes.