ISO/FDIS 9241-161

Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 161: Visual user-interface elements

ISO 9241-161:2016 describes visual user-interface elements presented by software and provides requirements and recommendations on when and how to use them. This part of ISO 9241 is concerned with software components of interactive systems to make human-system interaction usable as far as the basic interaction aspects are concerned. ISO 9241-161:2016 provides a comprehensive list of generic visual user-interface elements, regardless of a specific input method, visualization, and platform or implementation technology. The guidance given in this part of ISO 9241 is intended to be used in conjunction with ISO 9241 guidance on dialogue techniques. It recognizes that additional elements can evolve. It also addresses derivates, compositions (assemblies) and states of user-interface elements. It gives requirements and recommendations on selection, usage and dependencies of user-interface elements and their application. It is applicable regardless of a fixed, portable or mobile interactive system. It does not provide detailed coverage of the methods and techniques required for design of user-interface elements. This part of ISO 9241 does not address implementation (e.g. graphical design of elements) and interaction details for specific input methods or technologies. It does not cover decorative user-interface elements that are intended to address solely aesthetic (hedonic) qualities in the user interface, e.g. background images. The information in this part of ISO 9241 is intended for use by those responsible for the selection and implementation of visual user-interface elements in interactive systems and for evaluating user interfaces. It is intended for use by those planning and managing platform specific aspects of user interface screen design. It also provides guidance for human factors/ergonomics and usability professionals involved in human-centred design. It addresses technical issues only to the extent necessary to allow users of this part of ISO 9241 to understand the relevance and importance of a consistent interface element usage and selection in the design process as a whole. Annex A provides a guide to selection of different visual user interface elements depending of their appropriate application.

Ergonomie de l'interaction homme-système — Partie 161: Éléments visuels de l'interface utilisateur

ISO 9241-161:2016 décrit les éléments visuels de l'interface utilisateur présentés par le logiciel et fournit des exigences et des recommandations sur quand et comment les utiliser. La présente partie de l'ISO 9241 concerne les composants logiciels des systèmes interactifs permettant de rendre l'interaction homme-système utilisable dans la mesure où les aspects d'interaction de base sont concernés. ISO 9241-161:2016 fournit une liste complète des éléments visuels génériques de l'interface utilisateur, quels que soient la technique de dialogue spécifique, la méthode d'entrée, la visualisation et la technologie de plateforme ou d'implémentation. Les lignes directrices données dans la présente partie de l'ISO 9241 sont destinées à être utilisées conjointement aux lignes directrices de l'ISO 9241 relatives aux techniques de dialogue. Des éléments supplémentaires peuvent être élaborés. Elle traite également des dérivés, des compositions (ensembles) et des états des éléments de l'interface utilisateur. Elle fournit des exigences et des recommandations concernant la sélection, l'usage et les relations entre les éléments de l'interface utilisateur et leur application. Elle s'applique, que le système interactif soit fixe, portatif ou mobile. Elle ne couvre pas de façon détaillée les méthodes et les techniques requises pour la conception des éléments de l'interface utilisateur. La présente partie de l'ISO 9241 ne traite pas des détails de l'implémentation (par exemple conception graphique des éléments) et de l'interaction pour des méthodes d'entrée ou des technologies spécifiques. Elle ne couvre pas les éléments décoratifs de l'interface utilisateur qui sont uniquement destinés à traiter des qualités esthétiques (hédoniques) de l'interface utilisateur, par exemple les images en arrière-plan. Les informations contenues dans la présente partie de l'ISO 9241 sont destinées à être utilisées par les responsables de la sélection et de l'implémentation des éléments visuels de l'interface utilisateur dans des systèmes interactifs et de l'évaluation des interfaces utilisateur. Elle est destinée à être utilisée par les personnes qui planifient et gèrent les aspects de la conception des écrans d'interface utilisateur spécifiques à la plateforme. Elle fournit également des lignes directrices pour les professionnels des facteurs humains/ergonomie et de l'utilisabilité impliqués dans la conception centrée utilisateur. Elle traite des questions techniques uniquement dans la mesure où cela est nécessaire pour permettre aux utilisateurs de la présente partie de l'ISO 9241 de comprendre la pertinence et l'importance d'une sélection et d'un usage cohérents des éléments d'interface dans l'ensemble du processus de conception. L'Annexe A fournit des informations relatives à la sélection des différents éléments visuels d'interface utilisateur en fonction de leur application appropriée.

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• ICS: 13.180 - Ergonomics
• ICS: 35.180 - IT Terminal and other peripheral equipment
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 159/SC 4 - Ergonomics of human-system interaction
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 159/SC 4 - Ergonomics of human-system interaction
• Current Stage: 5000 - FDIS registered for formal approval
• Start Date: 02-Jul-2025
• Completion Date: 21-Oct-2024

Relations

• Consolidates: ISO 13628-5:2009 - Petroleum and natural gas industries — Design and operation of subsea production systems — Part 5: Subsea umbilicals
• Effective Date: 22-Oct-2022
• Revises: ISO 9241-161:2016 - Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 161: Guidance on visual user-interface elements
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2022

Standards Content (Sample)

FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 159/SC 4
Ergonomics of human-system
Secretariat: BSI
interaction —
Voting begins on:
2025-09-18
Part 161:
Visual user-interface elements
Voting terminates on:
2025-11-13
Ergonomie de l'interaction homme-système —
Partie 161: Éléments visuels de l'interface utilisateur
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO-
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
Reference number
FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 159/SC 4
Ergonomics of human-system
Secretariat: BSI
interaction —
Voting begins on:
Part 161:
Visual user-interface elements
Voting terminates on:
Ergonomie de l'interaction homme-système —
Partie 161: Éléments visuels de l'interface utilisateur
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
© ISO 2025
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO-
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
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Published in Switzerland Reference number
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .x
Introduction .xi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Accessibility . 3
5 Compositions of visual user-interface elements . 3
6 Relationship of input techniques and visual user-interface elements . 4
7 States of visual user-interface elements . 4
8 Describing visual user-interface elements . 5
9 Visual user-interface elements . 6
9.1 Accordion .6
9.1.1 Description .6
9.1.2 Components .6
9.1.3 States . .7
9.1.4 When to use an accordion .7
9.1.5 How to use an accordion .8
9.2 Analogue form element or slider .8
9.2.1 Description .8
9.2.2 Components .8
9.2.3 States . .8
9.2.4 When to use an analogue form element .8
9.2.5 How to use an analogue form element .9
9.3 Avatar .9
9.3.1 Description .9
9.3.2 Components .9
9.3.3 States . .9
9.3.4 When to use an avatar .10
9.3.5 How to use an avatar .10
9.4 Badge .10
9.4.1 Description .10
9.4.2 Components .10
9.4.3 States . .11
9.4.4 When to use a badge .11
9.4.5 How to use a badge .11
9.5 Breadcrumb .11
9.5.1 Description .11
9.5.2 Components .11
9.5.3 States . . 12
9.5.4 When to use a breadcrumb . 12
9.5.5 How to use a breadcrumb . 12
9.6 Button (push button, command button) . 12
9.6.1 Description . 12
9.6.2 Components . 13
9.6.3 States . . 13
9.6.4 When to use a button . 13
9.6.5 How to use a button . 13
9.7 Carousel and carrousel . 13
9.7.1 Description . 13
9.7.2 Components .14
9.7.3 States . .14

iii
9.7.4 When to use a carousel .14
9.7.5 How to use a carousel . 15
9.8 Check box . 15
9.8.1 Description . 15
9.8.2 Components . 15
9.8.3 States . . 15
9.8.4 When to use a check box.16
9.8.5 How to use a check box .16
9.9 Collapsible container .16
9.9.1 Description .
...

Date: 2024-06-07
ISO/DISFDIS 9241-161:2024(en)
ISO/TC 159/SC 4/WG 5
Secretariat: BSI
Date:
Ergonomics of human-system interaction —
Part 161: Guidance on visual
Visual user-interface elements
Ergonomie de l'interaction homme-système —
Partie 161: Partie 161: Éléments visuels de l'interface utilisateur

Copyright notice
ThisFDIS stage
ISO/DISFDIS 9241-161:20242025(en)
© ISO document is a Draft International Standard and is copyright-protected by ISO. Except as permitted under 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the applicable lawscontext of the user's country, neither its
implementation, no part of this ISO draft nor any extract from itpublication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
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Requests for permission to reproduce should be addressed to . Permission can be requested from either ISO at the
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ISO copyright office
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Reproduction may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.
Violators may be prosecuted.
Published in Switzerland
iii
Contents Page
Foreword . vi
Introduction . vii
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Accessibility . 4
5 Compositions of visual user-interface elements . 4
6 Relationship of input techniques and visual user-interface elements . 5
7 States of visual user-interface elements . 5
8 Describing visual user-interface elements . 6
9 Visual user-interface elements . 7
9.1 Accordion . 7
9.2 Analogue form element or slider . 9
9.3 Avatar . 11
9.4 Badge . 13
9.5 Breadcrumb . 14
9.6 Button (push button, command button) . 16
9.7 Carousel and carrousel . 17
9.8 Check box . 19
9.9 Collapsible container . 21
9.10 Colour picker . 23
9.11 Combination box (combo box) . 24
9.12 Cursor . 26
9.13 Date picker . 27
9.14 Dialogue box . 29
9.15 Disclosure . 31
9.16 Dropdown list box and select . 32
9.17 Entry field, input field and text box . 34
9.18 Entry field with dialogue button . 35
9.19 Geographical map . 36
9.20 Group . 38
9.21 Handle . 39
9.22 Hierarchical list, tree view and tree list . 40
9.23 Implicit designator . 42
9.24 Instructive Information . 43
9.25 Input tokenizer . 44
9.26 Label . 45
9.27 Legend and chart key . 46
9.28 Link and hyperlink . 47
9.29 List box . 49
9.30 List and menu button . 51
9.31 Menu and menu bar . 53
9.32 Meter . 55
9.33 Output pane . 57
9.34 Pointer . 58
9.35 Pop-up menu and contextual menu . 59
9.36 Progress indicator . 60
iv
ISO/DISFDIS 9241-161:20242025(en)
9.37 Prompt . 61
9.38 Radio and option buttons. 62
9.39 Read only field and protected field . 64
9.40 Scroll bar . 65
9.41 Scroll handle, elevator, scroll box and thumb . 67
9.42 Selection cursor . 68
9.43 Selection indication . 69
9.44 Selection list and choice list . 70
9.45 Status information . 72
9.46 Stepper and spin button . 73
9.47 System message . 74
9.48 Tab set . 76
9.49 Table . 77
9.50 Text field . 79
9.51 Time picker . 80
9.52 Title and heading . 82
9.53 Toggle button and switch . 84
9.54 Tool bar . 85
9.55 Tool tip . 86
9.56 Window . 87
Bibliography . 89

v
Foreword
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