The paper introduces the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW), a new framework for characterizing and designing behavior change interventions. The authors evaluate existing frameworks and identify their limitations, such as lack of comprehensiveness, coherence, and linkage to a model of behavior. They develop the BCW, which centers on a 'behaviour system' involving capability, opportunity, and motivation (COM-B system). This system is surrounded by nine intervention functions and seven policy categories. The BCW is tested for reliability in characterizing interventions in tobacco control and obesity reduction, showing good inter-rater agreement. The BCW is argued to provide a more efficient method for selecting appropriate interventions and policies, and it is being further developed into an intervention design tool.The paper introduces the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW), a new framework for characterizing and designing behavior change interventions. The authors evaluate existing frameworks and identify their limitations, such as lack of comprehensiveness, coherence, and linkage to a model of behavior. They develop the BCW, which centers on a 'behaviour system' involving capability, opportunity, and motivation (COM-B system). This system is surrounded by nine intervention functions and seven policy categories. The BCW is tested for reliability in characterizing interventions in tobacco control and obesity reduction, showing good inter-rater agreement. The BCW is argued to provide a more efficient method for selecting appropriate interventions and policies, and it is being further developed into an intervention design tool.