Lists organise related items into a scannable, structured format that helps users process information efficiently. Rather than burying related points within text, lists surface discrete pieces of content in a form that supports quick reading, comparison, and comprehension.
ECL provides three list variants, each suited to a different relationship between items:
- ordered lists for sequential or ranked content
- unordered lists for grouped content without hierarchy
- description lists for terms that require accompanying explanations.
The structure should reflect the relationship between items. Choosing the right variant is a content, not a visual, decision.
Do's
- choose the list variant that accurately reflects the relationship between items
- keep list item labels concise and consistent in length to aid scannability
- order description list terms logically, by hierarchy, significance, or relatedness
- if using an Ordered list, make sure the items are placed in sequential or hierarchical order
- if using a Description list, keep list terms short and relevant, with descriptions that add context
Don'ts
- do not nest lists beyond three levels. Deep nesting creates clutter and undermines the clarity that lists provide
- do not use an Ordered list when items have equal value or importance - this falsely implies hierarchy or sequence
- do not use an Unordered list when items can meaningfully be ranked, counted, or sequenced
- do not use an active verb in Description lists, i.e. avoid instructions. Descriptions should be definitions or explanations
When to use
- use Ordered lists when the sequence of items carries meaning (e.g. for step-by-step instructions, ranked results, prioritised recommendations) or content where position within the list is significant
- use Unordered lists when presenting a set of related items that have no inherent rank or order (e.g. features, requirements, considerations, or options). i.e. where all items carry roughly equal weight
- use Description lists when each item requires a label paired with a description (e.g. glossaries, speaker listings with biographical notes, metadata summaries), and for items where users may find supplementary information such as publication dates or related links useful
When not to use
- do not use a list when items are few enough (typically two) that they read naturally as text - forcing minimal content into list format only adds structure without benefit
- do not use when items share overarching categories that themselves require description. Instead consider using a Table or a structured content layout that will communicate those relationships more clearly
- do not use for lists of items that may benefit from supplementary imagery. Instead, consider using the List with Illustrations component
- do not use a description list when items can stand alone without explanation; an unordered list is simpler and more appropriate in that case