Wikipedia:Use common sense Information & Wikipedia:Use common sense Links at HealthHaven.com

"WP:COMMON" redirects here. For Common outcomes of deletion discussions, see WP:OUTCOMES. For Use common names, see WP:COMMONNAMES.

This is an information page, and describes communal consensus on some aspect of Wikipedia norms and practices. However, it is not a policy or guideline.

Shortcuts: WP:UCS WP:COMMON WP:SENSE

Wikipedia has many rules. Instead of following every rule, it is acceptable to use common sense as you go about editing. Being too wrapped up in rules can cause loss of perspective, so there are times when it is better to ignore a rule.

Even if a contribution violates the precise wording of a rule, it might still be a good contribution. Similarly, just because something disruptive is not forbidden in a written rule doesn't mean it's a good idea (e.g., don't disrupt Wikipedia to illustrate a point). The principle of the rules is more important than the letter.

Invoking the principle of ignore all rules on its own will not convince anyone that you were right, so you will need to persuade the rest of the community that your actions improved the encyclopedia. A skilled application of this concept should ideally fly under the radar, and not be noticed at all.

Be careful about citing this principle too aggressively. While it is quite acceptable to explain your own actions by saying, "it seemed like common sense to me," you should be careful not to imply that other editors are lacking in common sense, which may be seen as uncivil.

[edit] Why isn't this page an official policy?

If you need to be told that this is a rule, you've missed the point entirely.

[edit] See also