Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 27, 2026

Wikipedia:Categories for discussion

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Jul 27, 2026
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Categories for discussion (CfD) is the central venue for discussing specific proposals to delete, merge, rename, or split categories and stub types in accordance with the guidelines for categorization, category naming, and stub articles.

For general discussion about the category system, use other appropriate venues such as Wikipedia talk:Categorization, Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Categories, and relevant WikiProjects' talk pages.

How to use CfD

For detailed instructions about using CfD, see § How to nominate a category for discussion below. Briefly, nominations are handled through one of two processes:

  1. Speedy renaming and merging, for uncontroversial proposals that meet specified criteria—see § Speedy renaming and merging below.
  2. Full discussion, for all other proposals. Discussions typically remain open for at least seven days and are closed once a rough consensus has formed or no objections to the nomination are raised.

exclamation mark  Important: In general, do not depopulate a category when nominating it for CfD. If, during (or just prior to) the discussion, you modify the population of a category, or in other ways edit the category while it is subject to a CfD discussion, note that you did so in the CfD (for transparency), and be prepared to revert your edits upon community request. Such editing can hamper other editors' efforts to evaluate a category and participate in the discussion.

If you have an issue with a CfD closure, and discussion on the CfD closer's talk page does not resolve the issue, the process at Wikipedia:Deletion review is used to ask the community to review a CfD closure (as long as all steps are followed), to determine whether or not the close was reasonable and consistent with the spirit and intent of common practice, policies, and guidelines.

Wikipedia:Move review is used for a CfD closure that is limited in scope to renaming.

Current discussions

Add a new entry

Closing procedure

After seven days, an administrator (or possibly a non-admin) will determine if consensus has formed, and close the discussion. If appropriate, the discussion instead may be relisted to allow for more discussion. Editors closing discussions must follow the administrator instructions and implement the result or log it at the Working page to ensure it is implemented. As noted at Wikipedia:Deletion process#Non-administrators closing discussions, non-admins may follow the process at Wikipedia talk:Categories for discussion/Working, and list discussion results there for an admin to review, and to log to the page directly.

Discussions awaiting closure

XFD backlog
V Apr May Jun Jul Total
CfD 0 0 0 122 122
TfD 1 0 2 13 16
MfD 0 0 0 0 0
FfD 0 22 29 16 67
RfD 0 0 0 44 44
AfD 0 0 0 4 4

How to nominate a category for discussion

Nomination procedure

Twinkle

You may use Twinkle to facilitate CfD nominations. To install Twinkle, go to Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-gadgets and check "Twinkle" in the "Browsing" section. Use the now-installed "XfD" (Start a deletion discussion) tab while viewing the page you want to nominate.

Twinkle only allows you to nominate a single category or stub template. For bundled nominations including multiple categories, see § MassCFD.

MassCFD

You can use the script User:Qwerfjkl/scripts/massXFD to automatically make mass nominations.

Manual nominations

I
Preliminary steps.

Before nominating a category:

In the following special cases:

  • If a category is a red link, then it is already deleted (or was never created in the first place) and does not need to be nominated.
  • If a category is unpopulated, use {{db-catempty}} to request it be speedily deleted in 7 days. Note that some project categories may be empty as part of their typical process cycle.
  • Before nominating a project category (even if empty!), check Special:WhatLinksHere, to see if the category is (or has been) populated by a template, and if so (or even if the populating template has been deleted), note the template name(s) in the CfD nomination.

For further information, see Wikipedia:Categorization and Wikipedia:Manual of Style.

II
Edit the category.

Add one of the following templates at the beginning of the category page (not the talk page) of every category to be discussed. For nominations involving large numbers of categories, help adding these templates can be requested here.

Otherwise, if nominating a single category:
  • For deleting, use {{subst:Cfd}}
  • For merging, use {{subst:Cfm|Other category}}
    • For merging to two categories, use {{subst:Cfm-double|Other category 1|Other category 2}}
  • For renaming, use {{subst:Cfr|Proposed name}}
  • For splitting, use {{subst:Cfs|Proposed name 1|Proposed name 2}}
  • For converting the category into a list, use {{subst:Cfl|Proposed name}}
  • For other options (containerization, etc.), use {{subst:Cfd|type=nature of proposed discussion}}
If nominating a group of related categories, use a bundled nomination:
  • For deleting, use {{subst:Cfd|CfD section name}}
  • For merging, use {{subst:Cfm|Other category|CfD section name}}
    • For merging to two categories, use {{subst:Cfm-double|Other category 1|Other category 2|CfD section name}}
  • For renaming, use {{subst:Cfr|Proposed name|CfD section name}}
  • For splitting, use {{subst:Cfs|Proposed name 1|Proposed name 2|CfD section name}}
  • For converting the category into a list, {{subst:Cfl|Proposed name|CfD section name}}
  • For other options (containerization, etc.), use {{subst:Cfd|type=nature of proposed discussion|CfD section name}}
  • Include "CfD", "CfM", "CfR", "CfS" or "CfL" in the edit summary, and do not mark the edit as minor. Preview before saving.
  • To add the template for previous nomination days, use the "full" version of the template by appending "full" to the template name, i.e. {{cfd full}}, {{cfm full}}, {{cfr full}}, {{cfs full}} and {{cfl full}}. Use the |day=, |month= and |year= parameters to make the banner link to the correct CfD page.
  • Consider adding {{subst:cfd notice|Category name|2026 July 27|CfD section name}} ~~~~ to the talk page of the category's creator.
  • For details about these templates, see each template's documentation.
III
Create the CFD section.

Click THIS LINK to edit the section of CfD for today's entries.

Follow the instructions (visible in edit mode) to copy and paste one of the templates below. When inserting category names into these template's parameters, except the text= parameter, omit the Category: prefix and do not use wikilinks, as the template takes care of this.

If nominating a single category:
  • For deleting, use {{subst:Cfd2|Obsolete category|text=Your reason(s) for the proposed deletion. ~~~~}}
  • For merging, use {{subst:Cfm2|Origin category|Destination category|text=Your reason(s) for the proposed merge. ~~~~}}
    • For merging to two categories, use {{subst:Cfm2|Origin category|Destination category 1|target2=Destination category 2|text=Your reason(s) for the proposed merge. ~~~~}}
  • For renaming, use {{subst:Cfr2|Current category|Proposed name|text=Your reason(s) for the proposed rename. ~~~~}}
  • For splitting, use {{subst:Cfs2|Current category|Proposed category 1|Proposed category 2|text=Your reason(s) for the proposed split. ~~~~}}
  • For converting the category into a list, use {{subst:Cfc2|Current category|Proposed article|text=Your reason(s) for the proposed conversion. ~~~~}}
  • For other options (containerization, etc.), use {{subst:Cfd2|Current category|type=other type|text=Your reason(s) for the proposed conversion. ~~~~}}
For a bundled nomination, use one of the standard templates to build the "Cfd section name" for the first nominated category. After saving that, the second and subsequent nominations must be inserted manually, as follows:
==== Cfd section name ====
* 1st category
* 2nd category [Make clear whether you propose deletion, merging or renaming]
* Your reason for nominating the categories, and signature.
  • If a bundled nomination is too long, consider using {{hidden}} to hide some of the nominated categories.
  • In your reason, use links if mentioning articles or categories. To link to a category, use the colon trick by adding a colon (:) to the beginning of the link, e.g. [[:Category:Foo]].
  • Preview before saving to check that your nomination is formatted correctly, and remember to include your signature at the end of the nomination.

Stub types

I
Preliminary steps.

In general, a stub type consists of a stub template and a dedicated stub category. Before nominating a stub type for deletion, merging or renaming:

  • Read and understand guidance for creating stub types and stub type naming conventions.
  • Review the list of existing stub types—be advised, this list may not be comprehensive.
  • If you wish to:
    • Create a new stub type—follow the procedure for proposing new stub types.
    • Delete, merge or rename a stub category only, without deleting or renaming the associated stub template—follow the instructions above this section.
    • Delete or rename a stub template—continue to section II.
II
Edit the template.

Add one of the following tags at the beginning of the template to be discussed.

  • For deletion, use {{subst:Sfd-t|Section name}}
  • For renaming, use {{subst:Sfr-t|Proposed name|Section name}}
  • Please include "SFD" or "SFR" in the edit summary, and don't mark the edit as minor. Preview before saving.
  • Consider notifying the template's creator on their talk page. To find the contributor, check the page history of the stub template.
III
Create the CFD section.

Click THIS LINK to edit the section of CfD for today's entries.

Follow the instructions (visible in edit mode) and paste the following text (remember to update the default parameters):

  • For deletion, use {{subst:sfd-t2|TemplateName|text=Your reason(s) for the proposed deletion. ~~~~}}
  • For renaming, use {{subst:sfr-t2|TemplateOldName|TemplateNewName|text=Your reason(s) for the proposed deletion. ~~~~}}
  • In your rationale, mention how many articles currently use the template to help other editors. When linking to a category in your rationale, always add a colon (:) to the beginning of the link, like [[:Category:Foo]]. This makes a category link that can be seen on the page, and avoids putting this page into the category you are nominating.
  • Preview before saving to check that your nomination is formatted correctly, and remember to include your signature at the end of the nomination.

Notifying interested projects and editors

In addition to the steps listed above, you may choose to invite participation by editors who are likely to be informed about a nominated category. All such efforts must comply with Wikipedia's guideline against biased canvassing. In addition, to help make your messages about the CfD discussion clear, avoid Wikipedia-specific abbreviations, link to relevant policies or guidelines, and link to the discussion itself.

Notifying related WikiProjects

WikiProjects consist of groups of editors who are interested in a particular subject. If a nominated category is within the scope of one or more WikiProjects, consider adding a brief, neutral note on their talk page(s) about the nomination. You may use {{subst:cfd notice|Category name|2026 July 27|CfD section name}} ~~~~ or write a personalized message.

Tagging the nominated category's talk page with a relevant WikiProject's banner will include the category in that WikiProject's Article Alerts if they subscribe to the system. For instance, tagging a nominated category with {{WikiProject Physics}} will add the discussion to Wikipedia:WikiProject Physics/Article alerts.

Notifying substantial contributors to the category

While not required, it is generally considered courteous to notify the good-faith creator and main contributors of the category that you are nominating for discussion. To find the creator and main contributors, check the category's page history or talk page. You may use {{Cfd notice}} to inform the category's creator and all other editors.

Notifying other interested editors

It may be helpful to invite other subject-matter experts by posting a message on the talk page of the most closely related article, such as Protein family for Category:Protein families. You may use {{Cfdnotice}} for this.

Speedy renaming and merging

Speedy renaming or speedy merging of categories may be requested if they meet one of the speedy criteria listed below. To nominate a category:

  1. Determine which speedy criterion applies.
  2. Tag the category page with {{subst:cfr-speedy|New name}} or {{subst:cfm-speedy|Merge target}}.
  3. List the request along with a speedy criteria reason at § New requests.

Speedy requests must state which of the narrowly defined criteria strictly applies. Hence, any other non-speedy criteria, even "common sense" or "obvious", may be suitable points but only at a full discussion at Categories for discussion.

The nomination and its discussion may get moved further down the page purely for organizational convenience. Categories that qualify for speedy deletion can be tagged with the regular speedy tags with no required delay or listing. Renaming under C2E may be processed instantly (at the discretion of an administrator) as it is a variation on G7.

Opposing

Requests generally take about 48 hours to process after listing if there are no objections. This delay allows other users to review the request to ensure that it meets the criteria and raise any objections.

To oppose a speedy request, insert this immediately under the nomination: 

* '''Oppose''': Explain your objection. ~~~~

If you belatedly notice and want to oppose a speedy move that has already been processed, contact one of the admins who process speedy nominations. If your objection seems valid, they may reverse the move, or start a regular CfD discussion. Unless you withdraw your opposition, the nomination may be turned into a regular CfD discussion.

Contested speedy requests become stale and can be untagged and delisted after 7 days of inactivity. Optionally, if the discussion may be useful for future reference, it may be copied to the category talk page, with a section heading and {{Moved from|[[WP:CFDS]]|~~~~}}. If the nominator wants to revive the process, this may be requested at CfD in accordance with its instructions.

Speedy criteria

The category-specific criteria for speedy renaming or merging are strictly limited to:

C2A: Typographic and spelling fixes

  • Correction of spelling errors and capitalization fixes. Differences between American and British spelling (e.g. Harbours → Harbors) are not considered errors; however, if the convention of the relevant category tree is to use one form over the other, then a rename may be appropriate under C2C. If both spellings exist as otherwise-identical category names, they should be merged.
  • Appropriate conversion of hyphens into en dashes or vice versa (e.g. Category:Canada-Russia relations → Category:Canada–Russia relations).
  • Correction of obvious grammatical errors, such as a missing conjunction (e.g. Individual frogs toads → Individual frogs and toads). This includes pluralizing a noun in the name of a set category, but not when disagreement might reasonably be anticipated as to whether the category is a topic or set category.

C2B: Consistency with established Wikipedia naming conventions and practices

C2C: Consistency with established category tree names

  • Bringing a category into line with established naming conventions for that category tree, or into line with the various "X by Y", "X of Y", or "X in Y" categorization conventions specified at Wikipedia:Category names.
  • This should be used only where there is no room for doubt that the category in question is being used for the standard purpose instead of being a potential subcategory.
  • This criterion should be applied only when there is no ambiguity or doubt over the existence of a category naming convention. Such a convention must be well defined and must be overwhelmingly used within the tree. If this is not the case, then the category in question must be brought forward to a full CfD nomination.
  • This criterion will not apply in cases where the category tree observes distinctions in local usage (e.g. Category:Transport in the United Kingdom and Category:Transportation in the United States).

C2D: Consistency with main article's name

  • Renaming a topic category to match its eponymous page (e.g. Category:The Beatles and The Beatles).
  • This applies only if the related page's current name (and, by extension, the proposed name for the category) is:
    • unambiguous (so it generally does not apply to proposals to remove a disambiguator from the category name, even when the main article is the primary topic of its name, i.e. it does not contain a disambiguator); and
    • uncontroversial, either because of longstanding stability at that particular name, or because the page was just moved (i) after a page move discussion resulted in explicit consensus to rename, or (ii) unilaterally to reflect an official renaming which is verified by one or more citations (provided in the nomination).
  • C2D does not apply if the result would be contrary to guidelines at WP:CATNAME, or there is any ongoing discussion about the name of the page or category, or there has been a recent discussion concerning any of the pages that resulted in a no consensus result, or it is controversial in some other way.
  • This criterion may also be used to rename a set category in the same circumstances, where the set is defined by a renamed topic; e.g. players for a sports team, or places in a district.
  • Before nominating a category to be renamed per C2D, consider whether it makes more sense to move the article instead of the category.
  • Just disagreeing with the article title is not enough reason to oppose a C2D request. Instead, if someone disagrees with the article title, they can start a WP:RM procedure on the article talk page and they can request the CFDS discussion be put on hold while the RM discussion is running. However, arguing that it is desirable to have the article and the category at different titles may be an adequate reason to oppose C2D.

C2E: Author request

  • This criterion applies only if the author of a category requests or agrees to renaming within six months of creating the category.
  • The criterion does not apply if other editors have populated or changed the category since it was created. "Other editors" includes bots that populated the category, but excludes an editor working with the author on the renaming.

C2F: One eponymous page

  • This criterion applies if the category contains only an eponymous article, list, template or media file, provided that the category has not otherwise been emptied shortly before the nomination. The default outcome is an upmerge to the parent categories, where applicable.
  • Nominations should use {{subst:cfm-speedy}} (speedy merger) linking to a suitable parent category, or to another appropriate category (e.g. one that is currently on the article). When listing the nomination at WP:CFDS, you must manually add all the appropriate parent categories as targets if the member page is not already in them.
Admin instructions

When handling the listings:

  1. Make sure that the listing meets one of the above criteria.
  2. With the exception of C2E, make sure that it was both listed and tagged at least 48 hours previously.
  3. Make sure that there is no opposition to the listing; if there is a discussion, check if the opposing user(s) ended up withdrawing their opposition.

If the listing meets these criteria, simply have the category renamed or merged – follow the instructions at Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Administrator instructions, in the section "If the decision is to Rename, Merge, or Delete"; to list it for the bots, use the Speedy moves section.

A nomination to merge or rename, brought forward as a full CfD, may be speedily closed if the closing administrator is satisfied that:

  • The nomination clearly falls within the scope of one of the criteria listed here, and
  • No objections have been made within 48 hours of the initial nomination.

The closure will be regarded as having been a result of a speedy nomination. If any objections have been raised, then the CfD nomination will remain in place for the usual 7-day discussion period, to be decided in accordance with expressed consensus.

For out of process deletions, check Category:Empty categories awaiting deletion. In some cases, these will need to be nominated for discussion and the editor who emptied the category informed that they should follow the CfD process. After renaming, copy and paste the listing to Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Working/Manual.

Current requests

If the category does not match one of the above criteria or you are not sure it qualifies, do not list it here. Instead, use the main CfD process. Requests may be completed if more than 48 hours old; i.e., if the nomination was created before 16:53, 25 July 2026 (UTC). Currently, there are 141 open requests ().

To list it here, use the following format on a new line at the beginning of the list: 

* [[:Category:old name]] to [[:Category:new name]] – Reason ~~~~

If the current name should be redirected rather than deleted, use: 

* REDIRECT [[:Category:old name]] to [[:Category:new name]] – Reason ~~~~

If human action is required, e.g. updating templates that populate the category, use: 

* NO BOTS [[:Category:old name]] to [[:Category:new name]] – Reason ~~~~

Remember to tag the category page with: {{subst:cfr-speedy|New name}}

New requests


Opposed requests


On hold pending other discussion


Moved to full discussion


Empty categories awaiting deletion

The categories listed below have been identified as empty using {{db-catempty}}, and will be speedily deleted after 7 days unless populated. (Note: Due to technical limitations, all contents of the category may not be displayed; view the category directly to see all contents.)

Empty categories awaiting deletion
Australia–Ethiopia relations
Australia–Cape Verde relations
Australia–Guinea-Bissau relations
Australia–São Tomé and Príncipe relations
Australia–Tunisia relations
Australia–Republic of the Congo relations
Australia–Maldives relations
Australia–Zambia relations
Australia–Niue relations
Australia–Botswana relations
Kurdish awards
May 2009 in Malaysia
April 2006 in Malaysia
March 2005 in Malaysia
1940 establishments in Fiji
Australia–East Germany relations
Australia–West Germany relations
Australia–Uganda relations
National Archival Services of Norway
Martial artist from Coahuila
December 2005 in Malaysia
2005 in Malaysia by month
Aztec date templates
Slaves in the Mamluk Sultane
Public policy in Ireland
Governance of Ireland
1921 in Russia by month
1285 establishments in England
1285 establishments by country
1285 establishments in Europe
November 1901 sports events in Australia
November 1901 in Australia
November 1901 sports events in Oceania
November 1901 in sports
User gez-1
1880 in Cyprus
1880s establishments in Cyprus
1890s establishments in Cyprus
1899 in Cyprus
1900 in Cyprus
1901 in Cyprus
1903 in Cyprus
1908 in Cyprus
1911 in Cyprus
1913 in Cyprus
1914 in Cyprus
1916 in Cyprus
1920 in Cyprus
1924 in Cyprus
1726 in Uruguay
1763 in Uruguay
Years of the 18th century in Uruguay
1720s establishments in Uruguay
1720s in Uruguay
1760s establishments in Uruguay
1760s in Uruguay
1750s in Uruguay
University of Science and Technology
1713 in New Spain
1702 in New Spain
Assassinated Australian diplomats
Assassinated Ancient Roman diplomats
Assassinated Swedish diplomats
Acts of the Parliament of Northern Ireland 1921
1763 in the Viceroyalty of Peru
Mass media in Zaporizhzhia
Assassinated Guatemalan diplomats
Emirati medical researchers
1800 establishments in the Captaincy General of Chile
1800s establishments in the Captaincy General of Chile
1800 establishments in South America
1600 establishments in North America
1590s establishments in Southeast Asia
Years of the 16th century in the Thirteen Colonies
1600 establishments in Portugal
3H Enterprises characters
March 2027 continent
Syrian opposition politics and government templates
Syrian opposition templates
Jewish Lithuanian painters
1992 national football team results
1974 national football team results
El Salvador national football team seasons
1920 national football team results
1921 national football team results
1922 national football team results
1975 national football team results
1976 national football team results
1923 national football team results
1980 national football team results
1979 national football team results
1982 national football team results
1985 national football team results
2011–12 in Curaçao football
1971 national football team results
1978 national football team results
2012–13 in Curaçao football
2013–14 in Curaçao football
1972 national football team results
1973 national football team results
1977 national football team results
1983 national football team results
2020 national football team results
1970 national football team results
Portal-Class Wikipedia pages
1660 in Mongolia
Years of the 17th century in Mongolia
1660s establishments in Mongolia
1660s in Mongolia
ITF Circuit navigational boxes
April 2012 in Hungary
Alumni of Makerere University
No Justice albums
18th-century Peruvian medical doctors
1998 national football team results
1999 national football team results
1997 national football team results
1996 national football team results
1995 national football team results
1994 national football team results
1993 national football team results
1991 national football team results
1990 national football team results
1981 national football team results
1984 national football team results
1986 national football team results
1987 national football team results
1988 national football team results
1989 national football team results
Private middle schools in Wyoming
Private elementary schools in Wyoming
Private high schools in Wyoming
Natural history of Modoc County, California
21st-century Puerto Rican criminals
African-American male film actors
TikTokers from Wisconsin
TikTokers from Missouri
TikTokers from Virginia
TikTokers from Alaska
1980s in Somali sport
Antianemic agents
March 2024 in Bangladesh
21st-century Puerto Rican representatives
Democratic Republic of the Congo LGBTQ rights activists
Portal-Class Air sports pages
Portal-Class aircraft engine pages
1661 in New Spain
Cypriot multilingual films
Mixed martial arts venues in Romania
Table tennis venues in Romania
Portal-Class African protected areas pages
Suicide bombings in Central Asia
Rebellions in São Tomé and Príncipe
Rebellions in the Central African Republic
Danish Sufis
African-American evangelicals
African-American prisoners and detainees
20th-century Puerto Rican male rappers
Puerto Rican male criminals
Protected areas of Morgan County, Colorado
Tourist attractions in Morgan County, Colorado
Fiction about tentacled monsters
Dutch architectural sculptors
1905 establishments in Nagaland
21st-century Naga singers
1986 establishments in the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic
1986 in the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic
2026–27 Western Hockey League standings templates
Western Hockey League standings templates
1914 disestablishments in Portuguese Guinea
1910s disestablishments in Portuguese Guinea
1918 in Macau
1918 in the Portuguese Empire
Cities and towns in Meluri district
History education in France
1740s establishments in Southeast Asia
Law by forum
20th-century disestablishments in Portuguese Guinea
Disestablishments in Portuguese Guinea by decade
1914 disestablishments in the Portuguese Empire
1914 disestablishments in Portugal
1742 establishments in the Spanish East Indies
1742 in the Spanish East Indies
1742 in Southeast Asia
1742 establishments in New Spain
1742 in New Spain
1770s in Argentina
1780s in Argentina
1790s in Argentina
Boldklubben af 1893 women's players
Portal-Class American Open Wheel Racing pages
The Middle (TV series) characters
Indian chaplains
Geography of Meluri district
Geography of Chümoukedima district
1991 road incidents in Asia
1998 road incidents in Asia
Copper mining in Israel
Greek military chaplains
Ghanaian military chaplains