ISO 9241-161:2025 PDF

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

First page of standard ISO 9241-161:2025

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Title (English):

ISO 9241-161:2025

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

Document status:: Active
Format:: Electronic (PDF)
Number of pages:: 67
Publication date:: December 10, 2025
Edition:: ISO IS 9241 edition 2 version 1
ICS:: 13.180

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Description (English):

This document specifies requirements and provides recommendations for the selection, usage and dependencies of visual user-interface elements and their application. This document is concerned with visual software components of interactive systems to make human-system interaction usable. This document is applicable regardless of a fixed, portable or mobile interactive system, or cross-device use. It does not provide detailed coverage of the methods and techniques required for design of visual user-interface elements. This document 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.

Technical details

Technical committee: ISO/TC 159/SC 4 - Ergonomics of human-system interaction
SKU: ISO 9241-161:2025

Abstract

Overview

ISO 9241-161:2025 - Ergonomics of human‑system interaction: Part 161 - Visual user‑interface elements defines ergonomic requirements and recommendations for selecting and using visual UI components in interactive systems. The standard focuses on visual software components that make human‑system interaction usable across fixed, portable, mobile and cross‑device contexts. It addresses compositions, states, accessibility and relationships with input techniques, but does not prescribe graphical design, implementation code, or decorative (hedonic-only) elements.

Key topics and technical scope

Selection and usage: guidance for choosing appropriate visual user‑interface elements for tasks and contexts.
Dependencies and composition: how elements combine in layouts and component systems.
Accessibility: requirements to support diverse users and assistive technologies.
Input relationships: mapping between input techniques and visual elements (e.g., touch, keyboard, pointer).
States and behavior: standard description of element states (default, active, disabled, focused, etc.).
Element descriptions: structured descriptions, components and usage guidance for many UI elements, including: accordion, slider (analogue form element), avatar, badge, breadcrumb, button, carousel, checkbox, collapsible container, colour picker, combo box, cursor, date picker, dialogue box, and more.
Documentation format: normative references, terms and definitions, and practical “when/how to use” subsections for individual elements.

Practical applications

ISO 9241-161 is intended to improve usability and consistency of interfaces by providing a common reference for visual UI elements. Typical uses:

UX/UI design systems: inform component libraries, pattern docs and design tokens for consistent interaction behavior and states.
Product design & development: guide front‑end engineers and interaction designers on when and how to use specific elements across devices.
Accessibility and compliance: support accessibility audits, procurement requirements, and regulatory conformity in public sector and enterprise software.

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical scope

Selection and usage: guidance for choosing appropriate visual user‑interface elements for tasks and contexts.
Dependencies and composition: how elements combine in layouts and component systems.
Accessibility: requirements to support diverse users and assistive technologies.
Input relationships: mapping between input techniques and visual elements (e.g., touch, keyboard, pointer).
States and behavior: standard description of element states (default, active, disabled, focused, etc.).
Element descriptions: structured descriptions, components and usage guidance for many UI elements, including: accordion, slider (analogue form element), avatar, badge, breadcrumb, button, carousel, checkbox, collapsible container, colour picker, combo box, cursor, date picker, dialogue box, and more.
Documentation format: normative references, terms and definitions, and practical “when/how to use” subsections for individual elements.

Practical applications

ISO 9241-161 is intended to improve usability and consistency of interfaces by providing a common reference for visual UI elements. Typical uses:

UX/UI design systems: inform component libraries, pattern docs and design tokens for consistent interaction behavior and states.
Product design & development: guide front‑end engineers and interaction designers on when and how to use specific elements across devices.
Accessibility and compliance: support accessibility audits, procurement requirements, and regulatory conformity in public sector and enterprise software.

ISO 9241-161:2025 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical scope

Practical applications

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical scope

Practical applications

Who should use it

Related standards

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