ISO/IEC 11581-3:2000 PDF

Information technology — User system interfaces and symbols — Icon symbols and functions — Part 3: Pointer icons

First page of standard ISO/IEC 11581-3:2000

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Title (English):

ISO/IEC 11581-3:2000

Information technology — User system interfaces and symbols — Icon symbols and functions — Part 3: Pointer icons

Document status:: Active
Format:: Electronic (PDF)
Number of pages:: 7
Publication date:: March 23, 2000
Edition:: ISO/IEC IS 11581 edition 1 version 1
ICS:: 35.240.20

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Description (English):

ISO/IEC 11581 applies to icons that are shown on a screen, that users can manipulate and interact with, and that represent data or computer system functions. This part of ISO/IEC 11581 addresses only pointer icons. Pointers are icons that are logically attached to a physical input device, and that the user manipulates to interact with other screen elements, see ISO/IEC 11581-1. This part describes user interaction with and appearance of pointer icons on the screen. It also specifies how pointer icons on a screen change appearance to give users feedback. Other types of icons are covered in other parts of the standard that are listed in the Foreword.

Technical details

Technical committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 35 - User interfaces
SKU: ISO/IEC 11581-3:2000

Abstract

Overview

ISO/IEC 11581-3:2000 defines how pointer icons behave and appear in graphical user interfaces. Part of the ISO/IEC 11581 family on icon symbols and functions, this standard covers icons that are logically attached to physical input devices (mouse, trackball, stylus, touch) and used to indicate focus, select objects, or manipulate screen elements. It specifies presentation, feedback, and interaction rules so pointer icons are consistent, visible, and predictable across systems.

Key topics and requirements

Scope & conformance
- Applies only to pointer icons; conformance requires meeting clause 6.1 and clause 7 of this part plus relevant clauses of ISO/IEC 11581-1.
Pointer functions
- Must support at least one function: indicating, selecting, or manipulating. Typical functions include opening and editing.
Display & visibility
- Pointer must always be clearly visible against the current background; no other screen element may overlay it.
- Only one active pointer is available at a time (cooperative multi-pointer exceptions noted).
Hot spot
- Pointer icons shall have a hot spot (typically a single pixel) that defines the point of interaction and focus.
Movement & gain
- Pointer movement reflects user input; systems must allow gain (pointer-to-device motion ratio) changes and user control of default gain.
Feedback & state changes
- Pointer must change appearance to indicate state or function changes (e.g., busy, selectable area, selection confirmed). A color change alone is not sufficient to indicate mode changes.
Default and recommended graphics
- Default pointer: outlined single-headed arrow (orientations allowed: left/right/up/down; outline/opaque/solid variations).
- Recommended color: filled black (or white on black background).
- Common recommended variants: I‑bar (text), double‑headed arrows (border resizing), cross-hair (precision pointing), busy indicators (hourglass/clock).

Applications - who uses this standard

UI/UX designers and graphic asset teams creating pointer icon sets for desktop and embedded GUIs.
Software developers and OS vendors implementing consistent pointer behavior and feedback.
Human–machine interface (HMI) engineers designing input-device interactions (mouse, stylus, touch).
Accessibility specialists ensuring pointer visibility and predictable focus behavior.
Product managers and QA teams enforcing cross-platform icon and interaction consistency.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 11581-1:2000 - Icons - General (normative reference)
ISO/IEC 11581-2, -4, -5, -6 - Object, Control, Tool, and Action icons (other parts of the icon family)
ISO/IEC 10741-1 - Cursor control for text editing (cursor vs pointer distinction)

Keywords: ISO/IEC 11581-3, pointer icons, user interface standards, GUI pointer, hot spot, pointer feedback, icon symbols, UI design guidance.

Related standards

Standards mentioned in the description

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and requirements

Scope & conformance
- Applies only to pointer icons; conformance requires meeting clause 6.1 and clause 7 of this part plus relevant clauses of ISO/IEC 11581-1.
Pointer functions
- Must support at least one function: indicating, selecting, or manipulating. Typical functions include opening and editing.
Display & visibility
- Pointer must always be clearly visible against the current background; no other screen element may overlay it.
- Only one active pointer is available at a time (cooperative multi-pointer exceptions noted).
Hot spot
- Pointer icons shall have a hot spot (typically a single pixel) that defines the point of interaction and focus.
Movement & gain
- Pointer movement reflects user input; systems must allow gain (pointer-to-device motion ratio) changes and user control of default gain.
Feedback & state changes
- Pointer must change appearance to indicate state or function changes (e.g., busy, selectable area, selection confirmed). A color change alone is not sufficient to indicate mode changes.
Default and recommended graphics
- Default pointer: outlined single-headed arrow (orientations allowed: left/right/up/down; outline/opaque/solid variations).
- Recommended color: filled black (or white on black background).
- Common recommended variants: I‑bar (text), double‑headed arrows (border resizing), cross-hair (precision pointing), busy indicators (hourglass/clock).

Applications - who uses this standard

UI/UX designers and graphic asset teams creating pointer icon sets for desktop and embedded GUIs.
Software developers and OS vendors implementing consistent pointer behavior and feedback.
Human–machine interface (HMI) engineers designing input-device interactions (mouse, stylus, touch).
Accessibility specialists ensuring pointer visibility and predictable focus behavior.
Product managers and QA teams enforcing cross-platform icon and interaction consistency.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 11581-1:2000 - Icons - General (normative reference)
ISO/IEC 11581-2, -4, -5, -6 - Object, Control, Tool, and Action icons (other parts of the icon family)
ISO/IEC 10741-1 - Cursor control for text editing (cursor vs pointer distinction)

Keywords: ISO/IEC 11581-3, pointer icons, user interface standards, GUI pointer, hot spot, pointer feedback, icon symbols, UI design guidance.

ISO/IEC 11581-3:2000 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and requirements

Applications - who uses this standard

Related standards

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and requirements

Applications - who uses this standard

Related standards

Related standards

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