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