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Store norske leksikon

snl.no

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Spec score 7.6 #16 of 31 in Online Encyclopedias

What it is

Store norske leksikon is a free reference work with expert-written articles based on research. Its encyclopedia covers subjects and fields in both Bokmål and Nynorsk. Subject editors maintain their areas and provide academic quality control. Registered readers can propose new articles or changes, which an editor reviews before publication. Articles are intended to use clear language, structured headings, definitions, fact boxes and links to related material; many are adapted linguistically for school pupils. SNL says the articles are useful to pupils, students and teachers. Reading does not require an account, though submitting proposals or comments and sending internal messages does. The publisher says AI-generated text may not be published in the encyclopedia. Its works offer an open API and metadata marked for free reuse, and the encyclopedia is updated daily. SNL aims to meet most WCAG 2.0 AAA requirements and all AA requirements. Some explanatory image captions are not adapted for screen readers, although the relevant articles also provide image information in text. The encyclopedia is available on the web, through an API and on iOS.

Spec sheet

Support
SNL directs general questions to [email protected] and says it responds as quickly as it can.Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no
Headquarters
Oslo, NorwayRead 28 Sep 2026 · snl.no
Founded
1978Read 28 Sep 2026 · snl.no
Accessibility
SNL says it aims to meet most WCAG 2.0 AAA requirements and all AA requirements, and to fix WCAG errors as they are found.Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no
Account requirement
Registration is not required to read articles; an account is needed to submit comments or proposals and send internal messages.Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no
AI content policy
The publisher says AI-generated text may not be published in the encyclopedia.Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no
API and metadata
The publisher says its works have an open API and metadata marked for free reuse.Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no
Content guidelines
Articles are expected to use clear language, structured headings, definitions, fact boxes, and links to related material.Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no
Coverage
The main encyclopedia covers all topics and fields and has articles in Bokmål and Nynorsk.Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no
Editorial review
Subject editors are selected experts who maintain assigned areas, write content, and provide academic quality control.Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no
Known accessibility limitation
The accessibility statement says some explanatory image captions are not adapted for screen readers, while information in images is also provided in text in the relevant articles.Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no
Privacy and analytics
SNL says it collects de-identified, aggregated visitor statistics and uses Google Analytics on its website.Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no
Publisher
SNL is operated by the nonprofit, non-commercial association Store norske leksikon, established in 2014.Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no
Reader audience
SNL says its articles are useful for pupils, students, and teachers, and many articles are adapted linguistically for school pupils.Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no
Reader contributions
Registered users can submit article and change proposals, which are reviewed by a subject editor or editor before publication.Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no
What it is
Store norske leksikon is a free, freely accessible reference work with content written by subject experts and based on research.Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no

Plans and prices

Free access Free Free, freely accessible reference work Read 3 Oct 2026 · meta.snl.no

Every Store norske leksikon plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Articles cover subjects and fields in Bokmål and Nynorsk.
  • Subject editors provide academic quality control.
  • Reading does not require registration.
  • Open API and metadata are marked for free reuse.
  • Updated daily.

Limits

  • Some explanatory image captions are not adapted for screen readers.
  • An account is needed to submit proposals or comments.

Who it suits

SNL suits pupils, students, teachers and other readers looking for a free reference work in Bokmål or Nynorsk. Its open API and reusable metadata may also suit people working with its content.

Verdict

SNL offers a free, broad reference work with expert-written articles, editorial review and daily updates. Readers can access articles without an account, though some image captions are not adapted for screen readers.

Where Specifiction places it

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