This standard gives guidelines for physical input devices for interactive systems. It provides guidance based on ergonomic factors for the following input devices: keyboards, mice, pucks, joysticks, trackballs, trackpads, tablets and overlays, touch sensitive screens, styli, light pens, voice controlled devices, and gesture controlled devices. It defines and formulates ergonomic principles valid for the design and use of input devices. These principles are to be used to generate recommendations for the design of products and for their use. It also defines relevant terms for the entire 400 series of ISO 9241. For some applications, e.g. in areas where safety is the major concern, other additional principles may apply and take precedence over the guidance given here.

This standard also determines properties of input devices relevant for usability including functional, electrical, mechanical, maintainability and safety related properties. Additionally included are aspects of interdependency with the use environment and software.