Store norske leksikon review
A strong free reference for Norwegian-language research, learning and everyday questions.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Store norske leksikon (SNL) is a free, non-commercial online general encyclopedia from Foreningen Store norske leksikon. It is designed for the general public, students, teachers and researchers who need Norwegian-language reference content across broad subject areas. Articles are available in Norwegian Bokmål and Nynorsk, with text and images, and are written and maintained by subject experts. The service is available on the web, through an open API, and in an official iPhone app.
Its strongest advantage is editorial depth within its language focus. Daily content updates throughout the year keep the encyclopedia active, while public article change suggestions and comments provide a visible way to contribute feedback around the content. Built-in article citation instructions are useful for school, teaching and research workflows, giving readers a direct way to reference encyclopedia material. These features make SNL a particularly practical choice when accuracy, editorial maintenance and citation support matter more than multilingual breadth.
The platform fit also gives SNL reach beyond ordinary article reading. The open API supports article and article-search access for other projects, while the iPhone app adds search, reading and read-aloud support for mobile users. The main boundary is its Norwegian orientation: readers seeking reference material primarily in other languages should choose a broader multilingual encyclopedia instead. SNL is the better pick for Norwegian-language users who value expert-edited, frequently updated content and citation guidance, without a paid-plan structure.
Store norske leksikon pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Expert-written articles maintained with daily updates
- Bokmål and Nynorsk coverage with built-in citation guidance
- Open API plus an official iPhone app with read-aloud support
- Where it doesn't
- Article language options focus on Bokmål and Nynorsk
- No paid tier or institutional access plan
- Mobile app availability is specified for iPhone
Store norske leksikon fact sheet, pricing and score →
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