HowTo Schema Implementation: The Complete 2026 Guide

HowTo is a subtype of CreativeWork representing a set of instructions to achieve a result. It contains one or more HowToStep items, each of which can include HowToDirection (instructional text) and HowToTip (advice). Optional components include HowToSupply (materials), HowToTool (equipment), HowToSection (grouped steps), and HowToVideo.

Google requires name and step for HowTo rich results. Each step must have text and ideally image or video. Recommended properties include:

totalTime expresses duration in ISO 8601 format — "PT45M" for 45 minutes or "PT2H" for two hours. This appears directly in the search preview.

supply lists materials using HowToSupply with a name property. tool lists equipment using HowToTool.

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "HowTo",
  "name": "How to Install a Smart Thermostat",
  "description": "A step-by-step guide to replacing your old thermostat with a smart thermostat.",
  "totalTime": "PT1H",
  "estimatedCost": {
    "@type": "MonetaryAmount",
    "currency": "USD",
    "value": "249"
  },
  "image": "https://example.com/images/smart-thermostat-hero.jpg",
  "supply": [
    {
      "@type": "HowToSupply",
      "name": "Smart thermostat unit (compatible with your system)"
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToSupply",
      "name": "AA batteries (2)"
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToSupply",
      "name": "Thermostat mounting screws"
    }
  ],
  "tool": [
    {
      "@type": "HowToTool",
      "name": "Phillips-head screwdriver"
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToTool",
      "name": "Smartphone with the manufacturer app installed"
    }
  ],
  "step": [
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "position": 1,
      "name": "Turn off power to your HVAC system",
      "text": "Locate your circuit breaker panel and switch off the breaker that controls your heating and cooling system. Confirm power is off by checking that your current thermostat display is blank.",
      "image": "https://example.com/images/step1-breaker-off.jpg",
      "url": "https://example.com/how-to-install-smart-thermostat#step1"
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "position": 2,
      "name": "Remove the old thermostat faceplate",
      "text": "Gently pull the old thermostat faceplate away from the wall mounting plate. Take a photo of the wire connections for reference.",
      "image": "https://example.com/images/step2-remove-faceplate.jpg"
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "position": 3,
      "name": "Label and disconnect wires",
      "text": "Using the included wire labels, tag each wire according to its terminal label (R, W, Y, G, C). Loosen the terminal screws and carefully remove each wire.",
      "image": "https://example.com/images/step3-label-wires.jpg"
    }
  ]
}

For complex guides with multiple phases, use HowToSection to group related steps. Each section has a name and contains its own array of step items with optional image and totalTime:

{
  "@type": "HowToSection",
  "name": "Mounting the Smart Thermostat",
  "position": 1,
  "step": [
    { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 1, "text": "Align the mounting plate..." },
    { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 2, "text": "Secure the plate with screws..." }
  ]
}

Declare video at the HowTo level or on individual steps using a VideoObject type with name, description, thumbnailUrl, and contentUrl. Videos in HowTo rich results can increase engagement rates significantly.

Google can display a media gallery of step images in HowTo rich results. Each step image should be at least 1200 pixels wide with descriptive filenames and alt text matching the step description.

Missing step positions is frequent. The position property tells Google the intended order — always number steps starting from 1.

Generic step text that doesn't match visible content creates mismatch risk. If JSON-LD says "Turn the knob clockwise" but the page says "counterclockwise", eligibility may be revoked (Google Search Central, "HowTo Rich Results," 2025).

Overestimating totalTime misleads users and increases bounce rates. Use realistic durations.

• [ ] HowTo page includes name and step properties at minimum
• [ ] Each step has a position value (1, 2, 3...) and descriptive text
• [ ] totalTime uses ISO 8601 duration format (PT30M, PT1H30M)
• [ ] All step images are at least 1200px wide
• [ ] Supplies and tools use correct HowToSupply and HowToTool types
• [ ] Step text matches visible page content
• [ ] Sections use HowToSection for grouped steps
• [ ] Video objects include all required VideoObject properties