Unordered List
An unordered list is a simple, flexible way to present related items without implying any specific order or priority. Commonly used in writing, web pages, documentation, and note-taking, unordered lists help readers scan content quickly and understand groupings of ideas.
When to use an unordered list
- When the sequence of items doesn’t matter (e.g., feature lists, ingredients, tools).
- To break up dense text and improve readability.
- For checklists where order is irrelevant.
- When presenting multiple independent examples or options.
Structure and formatting
- In plain text, use bullets like •, -, or .
- In HTML, use the
- element with each item inside an
- .
- In Markdown, start lines with -, , or + followed by a space.
Example (Markdown/Plain text)
- First item
- Second item
- Third item
Example (HTML)
html
<ul><li>First item</li> <li>Second item</li> <li>Third item</li></ul>Best practices
- Keep items parallel in grammar and length.
- Use concise phrases rather than long sentences.
- Limit the number of items when possible (5–9 is a readable range).
- Group related items under subheadings if the list grows long.
- Use bold sparingly to highlight key words within items.
Accessibility tips
- Use semantic markup (ul and li) so assistive technologies can interpret lists correctly.
- Provide a brief introductory sentence or heading.
- Avoid nesting more than two levels deep; deeply nested lists can be confusing to screen reader users.
Examples of common uses
- Feature lists on product pages
- Steps within a larger ordered procedure (as unordered sub-points)
- Collections of links, resources, or references
- Shopping lists and packing lists
An unordered list is a small formatting choice that can greatly improve clarity and scannability when used thoughtfully.
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