Boneyard Tools

HowTo Schema Generator (JSON-LD)

Build HowTo structured data for any step-by-step guide. Add your steps, supplies, tools, total time and estimated cost, and get valid JSON-LD you can paste into your page. Everything runs in your browser, so you can copy or download the script in one click.

How to generate HowTo schema

  1. Enter the title of your how-to and a short description of the task.
  2. Add one row per step with a name and instruction, then list any supplies and tools.
  3. Copy the JSON-LD script and paste it into the <head> or body of your page.

Examples

Tie a tie, three steps

name: How to tie a tie, totalMinutes: 5, three steps, one supply, one tool
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "HowTo",
  "name": "How to tie a tie",
  "totalTime": "PT5M",
  "step": [ ... ]
}
</script>

Steps with supplies and tools

supplies: 1 necktie; tools: Mirror
"supply": [ { "@type": "HowToSupply", "name": "1 necktie" } ], "tool": [ { "@type": "HowToTool", "name": "Mirror" } ]

Frequently asked questions

What is HowTo schema?

HowTo schema is structured data from schema.org that describes a step-by-step task to search engines. It marks up the title, the ordered steps, and optional details like supplies, tools, total time and cost, so crawlers understand that your page teaches someone how to do something rather than guessing from the raw HTML.

Does HowTo markup still show rich results?

It depends on the query and device. Google has scaled back HowTo rich results over time and now shows them less often than it once did, but valid HowTo markup still helps search engines understand your content and can support voice assistants and other surfaces. Treat it as solid structured data first, and any rich result as a bonus.

What fields does a HowTo need?

At a minimum, schema.org expects a name and at least one HowToStep. This generator enforces that: you must provide a title and one step with text before it produces output. Description, total time, supplies, tools and estimated cost are optional but make the markup richer and more useful.

How is total time formatted?

Total time is written as an ISO 8601 duration, which is what schema.org expects. You enter whole minutes and the generator converts them, so 30 minutes becomes PT30M and 90 minutes becomes PT1H30M. Leave the field blank or set it to zero to omit it entirely.

How do I test my HowTo markup?

Paste the generated JSON-LD into Google's Rich Results Test and the Schema.org validator. Both parse the markup, flag missing or malformed properties, and show what the page qualifies for. Re-test after any change, and make sure the steps in the markup match the steps shown on the page.

Is my data sent anywhere?

No. The JSON-LD is built entirely in your browser. Nothing you type into the steps, supplies or tools is uploaded or stored.

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