A weapon infobox may be used to summarize information about a particular weapon or weapon system (such as a firearm, a sword, a grenade, an artillery piece, a torpedo, or a tank); cartridges and artillery shells should use instead. The infobox should be added using the template, as shown below:  
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**Note**: When using parameters, avoid the ambiguous abbreviation "N/A", and instead use "unknown" or "". All subjective or qualitative judgements and numerical quantities or statistics must be cited to a reliable source (see WP:MILMOS#CITE).  
The infobox is intended as a quick reference. Don't add non-data items, like question marks, “”, “see text” or links to article sections (the article's table of contents already does this). Only add “unknown” to assert that an information point is unknowable, not as a placeholder to show that it is missing from the article. Choose a representative model and indicate what it is with the <code>spec_label</code> parameter, instead of listing multiple data items in one field.  
The template can also be used for general categories of weapons, such as tank and Katyusha rocket launcher, by including only some general characteristics.  
General parameters:
- **name** &ndash; the formal name of the weapon.
- **image** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; an image of the weapon. The image must be given in the form ; in particular, the **' attribute must **not''' be selected.
- **caption** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the text to be placed below the image.
- **origin** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the country or place where the weapon originated or was first manufactured. Flag icons should be avoided in this field, per WP:MOSFLAG and WP:MILMOS#FLAGS.
- **type** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the type of weapon (e.g. "service rifle", "dress sword", and so forth).  
Type selection parameters (these parameters control whether—and how—particular specification fields will be displayed; multiple ones may be enabled where appropriate):
- **is_ranged** &ndash; "*yes*" if the weapon is a ranged weapon, such as a firearm or bow; **must** be blank otherwise.
- **is_bladed** &ndash; "*yes*" if the weapon is a bladed, pointed, or blunt hand-held weapon, such as a sword, mace, or polearm; **must** be blank otherwise.
- **is_explosive** &ndash; "*yes*" if the weapon is an explosive device, such as a grenade or bomb; **must** be blank otherwise.
- **is_artillery** &ndash; "*yes*" if the weapon is a type of artillery, such as a cannon or mortar; **must** be blank otherwise.
- **is_vehicle** &ndash; "*yes*" if the weapon is a self-propelled vehicle, such as a tank; **must** be blank otherwise.
- **is_missile** &ndash; "*yes*" if the weapon is a self-propelled missile or torpedo; **must** be blank otherwise.
- **is_UK** &ndash; "*yes*" if the field labels should use British/Commonwealth English (*calibre, armour*); **must** be blank otherwise.  
Service history parameters:
- **service** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the period (usually given in years) when the weapon was in service.
- **used_by** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the countries, armed forces, or other groups using the weapon; this may be omitted for weapons employed only in their country of origin.
- **wars** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; any wars during which the weapon saw service.  
Production history parameters:
- **designer** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the person or group responsible for designing the weapon.
- **design_date** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the date (usually given as a year) when the weapon was designed.
- **manufacturer** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the manufacturer of the weapon.
- **unit_cost** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the unit cost of the weapon; this should only be indicated for weapons currently being produced.
- **production_date** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the period (usually given in years) when the weapon was produced.
- **number** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the number of weapons of this type that were manufactured.
- **variants** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; any variant models of the weapon.  
General specification parameters:
- **spec_label** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; a label for the specifications, to be used when data for a particular variant is indicated; should be blank otherwise.
- **weight** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the weight of the weapon. For firearms, separate loaded and unloaded weights may be indicated.
- **length** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the total length of the weapon.
- **part_length** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; a secondary length measurement. For firearms, this should be the barrel length; for bladed weapons, the length of the blade or head.
- **width** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the total width of the weapon, where applicable; this is intended for use with larger weapons, such as artillery or vehicles.
- **height** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the total height of the weapon, where applicable; this is intended for use with larger weapons, such as artillery or vehicles.
- **diameter** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the diameter of the weapon, where applicable; this is intended for use with explosives and missiles.
- **crew** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for crewed weapons, the number of people required.
- **passengers** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for vehicles, the number of passengers carried.  
Ranged weapon specification parameters (most only available if **is_ranged** is set to "*yes*"; some are also activated when **is_explosive** or **is_artillery** is set to "*yes*"):
- **cartridge** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for firearms or artillery, the type(s) of cartridge or shell used.
- **cartridge_weight** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for firearms or artillery, the weight of the cartridge or shell used.
- **caliber** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for non-cartridge firearms or artillery, the caliber or interior diameter of the barrel; for cartridge-loaded firearms, caliber is indicated by the cartridge.
- **barrels** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for firearms or artillery, the number of distinct barrels; this may be omitted if the weapon is single-barreled.
- **action** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for firearms, the type of action (e.g. "flintlock").
- **rate** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the rate of fire. For automatic firearms and auto-loading artillery, this is usually the cyclic rate. For other ranged weapons, an effective rate can be indicated if reputable sources for one are available.
- **velocity** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for firearms or artillery, the muzzle velocity of the fired projectile.
- **range** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the effective range of the weapon.
- **max_range** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; the maximum range of the weapon; for firearms this should be the maximum sight setting if used.
- **feed** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for firearms, the feed system or magazine used.
- **sights** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for firearms or artillery, the type of sights used.  
Artillery specification parameters (only available if **is_artillery** is set to "*yes*"):
- **breech** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for artillery, the type of breech mechanism.
- **recoil** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for artillery, the recoil system used.
- **carriage** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for artillery, the type of carriage used.
- **elevation** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for artillery, the vertical range of possible firing angles.
- **traverse** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for artillery, the horizontal range of possible firing angles.  
Bladed weapon specification parameters (only available if **is_bladed** is set to "*yes*"):
- **blade_type** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for bladed weapons (e.g. swords), a description of the blade.
- **hilt_type** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for bladed weapons (e.g. swords), a description of the hilt.
- **sheath_type** &ndash; *optional* &ndash; for bladed weapons (e.g. swords), a description of the scabbard or sheath, if any.