Lists

Use lists to provide order and create structure in your content.

What are lists?

Lists made with asterisks, numbers or dashes aren’t properly formatted with semantic HTML. Instead, they’re just like all the other text on the page.

For example, this looks like a list but it's not formatted correctly:

* backpack
* water bottle
* snacks

Accessible lists are made directly in the HTML or by using the list editing options in content editors. For example:

  • backpack
  • water bottle
  • snacks

Why are lists important?

Accessible lists make understanding and navigating content easier for assistive technology users and: 

  • Tells them how many items are in a list.
  • Lets them skip the list instead of reviewing each item.
  • Helps them easily navigate from item to item instead of reading through body text.

Types of lists

  • Use bulleted—or unordered—lists when there is no specific order needed for the list.
  • Use numbered—or ordered—lists when there is a defined sequence or order needed for the list.

How do I create an accessible list?

Most content editing platforms provide easy-to-use options for creating lists.