Ever opened a Wikipedia page and wondered why some articles feel thin and incomplete while others read like a textbook? That’s not random. Wikipedia has a formal system to rate article quality, and understanding it helps you know what you’re reading - and how to improve it if you’re editing.
What Are Wikipedia Article Classes?
Wikipedia doesn’t just let anyone write anything and call it done. Articles go through a quality assessment process that puts them into classes: Stub, Start, C-Class, B-Class, A-Class, and Featured Article. These aren’t just labels. They tell you how complete, well-sourced, and polished the article is.The system exists because Wikipedia has over 66 million articles. Without some kind of quality control, you’d have no way to tell if a page is a rough draft or a reliable reference. The classes help editors prioritize work and help readers judge trustworthiness.
Stub-Class Articles: The Bare Minimum
A Stub-Class article is the starting point. It’s short. It might have one or two paragraphs. It often lacks citations, structure, or context. You’ll see these on obscure topics - a small town’s mayor, a minor band from the 1980s, or a rarely mentioned chemical compound.Stub articles aren’t useless. They’re placeholders. They signal: "This topic matters, but no one has expanded it yet." Wikipedia’s own data shows over 12 million articles are classified as Stubs - nearly 20% of all English Wikipedia content.
What’s missing in a Stub? Usually:
- Proper section headings
- References to reliable sources
- Background context or historical significance
- Images or infoboxes
Don’t dismiss a Stub. It’s often the only thing standing between a topic and being forgotten. Many A-Class articles started as Stubs. Your edit today could turn one into something useful.
B-Class Articles: Solid, But Not Polished
B-Class is where most Wikipedia articles live. It’s the sweet spot between "barely usable" and "excellent." A B-Class article has:- A clear structure with multiple sections
- Several reliable sources cited throughout
- Basic coverage of key aspects - who, what, when, where, why
- Minimal grammar or formatting issues
Think of it like a first draft of a college paper. It’s complete enough to be helpful, but it’s missing depth. For example, a B-Class article on "The Battle of Stalingrad" will cover dates, commanders, troop numbers, and outcome. But it might not analyze the strategic impact on the Eastern Front or include firsthand soldier accounts.
Wikipedia’s assessment logs show that about 15% of articles are B-Class. That’s over 10 million pages. If you’re looking for trustworthy information, B-Class is usually safe. It’s not perfect, but it’s not a gamble either.
What’s holding a B-Class article back from A-Class? Usually:
- Lack of comprehensive coverage (missing subtopics)
- Weak sourcing (too many websites, not enough books or academic journals)
- Style issues - too much passive voice, awkward phrasing
- Missing images, maps, or tables that add clarity
A-Class Articles: Near-Perfect, But Not Featured
A-Class is the gold standard before Featured Article status. These are rare. Only about 1% of Wikipedia’s articles reach A-Class.An A-Class article is:
- Comprehensive - covers all major aspects of the topic
- Well-written - clear, engaging, and free of jargon
- Thoroughly sourced - every claim backed by high-quality references
- Neutral and balanced - no bias, no opinion, just facts
- Visually enhanced - includes relevant images, diagrams, or tables
For example, the A-Class article on "The Moon Landing" doesn’t just say Neil Armstrong stepped onto the surface. It explains the mission’s technical challenges, political context, global reactions, scientific findings, and long-term legacy. Every sentence has a source. Every claim is verifiable.
Getting to A-Class means passing a peer review. An experienced editor checks the article against Wikipedia’s formal assessment criteria. It’s not easy. Many editors spend months improving an article just to reach this level.
Why not go straight to Featured? Because Featured Articles must also meet stricter standards: they must be exceptionally well-written, have won community recognition, and have no outstanding issues. A-Class is the final checkpoint before that.
Why Does This Matter to You?
If you’re a student, researcher, or just someone using Wikipedia for information, knowing these classes helps you judge reliability. A Stub? Use it as a starting point, not a final source. A B-Class? Good for general knowledge. An A-Class? Safe to cite in a paper.If you’re editing Wikipedia, these classes are your roadmap. Don’t aim for Featured Article right away. Start by turning a Stub into a Start. Then make it C-Class. Then B-Class. Each step adds depth and credibility.
Wikipedia’s quality system isn’t perfect. Some articles are misclassified. Others are neglected. But the system works - and it’s transparent. You can see the rating on every article’s talk page. Look for the banner that says "This article is rated A-Class" or "Stub-Class." It’s there for a reason.
How to Find and Improve Articles
Want to help improve Wikipedia? Start here:- Go to any article you use often.
- Click the "Talk" tab at the top.
- Look for a banner near the top - it will say the class rating.
- If it’s a Stub or Start, ask yourself: "What’s missing?" Add a paragraph. Find a source. Fix a broken link.
- Use the "Wikipedia:Version 1.0 Editorial Team" project to find articles needing work.
Even small edits matter. Adding one reliable source to a Stub can push it to Start. Writing a new section on a B-Class article can make it A-Class. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to care enough to make it better.
The Bigger Picture
Wikipedia’s class system is one of the most successful quality control mechanisms on the internet. It’s open, collaborative, and data-driven. Unlike commercial encyclopedias, Wikipedia doesn’t hide its flaws - it fixes them publicly.That’s why it’s trusted by millions. Not because every article is perfect. But because the system makes it possible for anyone to help make them better.
Next time you read a Wikipedia page, check its class. You’ll see the effort behind it - and maybe, you’ll feel inspired to add your own.
