Editing and Contributing to Wikipedia: Getting Started

Emily has been editing Wikipedia since she was 12. Watch Emily's story to learn more about the impact of editing.

Victor Grigas, Wikimedia Foundation, CC-BY SA 3.0.

There are lots of ways to contribute to Wikipedia. Here are some ideas for getting started:

• Check facts and references
• Add references
• Add images
• Write a new article
• Expand an existing article
• Copy edit an article

Create an account. You do not have to register a username to edit, but here are some reasons you may want to. 

The content in this guide draws on Wikipedia help documentation and guides from Cornell University, Michigan State University, and UCLA.

• Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia
• Wikipedia is written from a neutral point of view
• Wikipedia is free content that anyone can use, edit, and distribute
• Wikipedia's editors should treat each other with respect and civility
• Wikipedia has no firm rules

Learn more about the Wikipedia pillars and core policies.