This list of Wikipedia guidelines is a summary of guidelines that are in use and have the current consensus of Wikipedia editors. Unlike policies, guidelines are usually more flexible and more likely to have exceptions and could be changed and improved more easily.
See Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines for a general overview of what policies and guidelines are about, how they are made, and why we have them.
Wikipedia has more than 200 guidelines. Consult them whenever you are in doubt about what to do on Wikipedia: in all likelihood, they contain relevant suggestions. This list attempts to provide notes about the most important guidelines. An alphabetical list of all of Wikipedia's guidelines, without descriptions, in the subcategories of Category:Wikipedia guidelines. Feel free to describe important guidelines on this page.
Because the list of guidelines is extensive, guidelines are now categorized, using the {{subcat guideline}} template, according to their purpose:
Behavioral guidelines outline ways for editors to behave and interact with each other on talk pages and elsewhere at Wikipedia.
Content guidelines apply only to the article namespace (unless otherwise specified in the guideline), and offer advice on identifying and including encyclopedic information in articles.
Deletion guidelines explain criteria and procedures for deleting unwanted pages.
Editing guidelines usually provide non-content advice about categorization, navigation or other how-to-edit advice for editors.
Naming conventions apply only to the article namespace and detail the correct ways to refer to many people, places, things, and events.
Notability guidelines apply only to the article namespace; they outline the criteria that a subject must meet to merit an article at Wikipedia.
Style guidelines apply only to the article namespace and detail extensive advice on writing style, formatting, grammar, and more.
State your point. However, do not spam Wikipedia, disingenuously nominate articles for deletion, push rules to their limits or otherwise create work for other people just to "prove your point".
Contributors have different views, perspectives, and backgrounds, sometimes varying widely. Treating others with respect is key to collaborating effectively in building an encyclopedia.
Many new contributors lack knowledge about Wikipedia policies. Nevertheless, always understand that new contributors are prospective "members" and are therefore our most valuable resource.
Words and images that might be considered offensive, profane, or obscene by other Wikipedia readers should be used if and only if their omission would cause the article to be less informative, relevant, or accurate, and no equally suitable alternatives are available.
Sign all of your posts on Wikipedia talk pages by typing ~~~~ to be accountable and to help others understand the conversation, but do not sign in articles.
Wikis develop faster when people fix problems, correct grammar, add facts, make sure the language is precise, and so on. We expect everyone to be bold. It is okay.
This guideline explains the minimum requirements for a subject to merit an article at Wikipedia. Specific guidelines have been written for a variety of specific topics, such as organizations and music.