# ER 401: Rule 401. Definition of "Relevant Evidence"

> Washington · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R401

## Section

- **Citation:** ER 401
- **Heading:** Rule 401. Definition of "Relevant Evidence"
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Court Rules / Rules of General Application / Rules of Evidence / ER 401

## Text

ER 401
DEFINITION OF "RELEVANT EVIDENCE"

"Relevant evidence" means evidence having any tendency to make the existence of any fact
that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it
would be without the evidence.

[Adopted effective April 2, 1979.]

Comment 401

## Nearby sections

- [ER 101 Rule 101. Scope](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R101.md)
- [ER 102 Rule 102. Purpose and Construction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R102.md)
- [ER 103 Rule 103. Rulings on Evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R103.md)
- [ER 104 Rule 104. Preliminary Questions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R104.md)
- [ER 105 Rule 105. Limited Admissibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R105.md)
- [ER 106 Rule 106. Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R106.md)
- [ER 201 Rule 201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R201.md)
- [ER 301 Rule 301. Presumptions in General in Civil Actions and Proceedings (Reserved)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R301.md)
- [ER 302 Rule 302. Applicability of State Law in Civil Actions and Proceedings (Reserved)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R302.md)
- [ER 401 Rule 401. Definition of "Relevant Evidence"](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R401.md)
- [ER 402 Rule 402. Relevant Evidence Generally Admissible; Irrelevant Evidence Inadmissible](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R402.md)
- [ER 403 Rule 403. Exclusion of Relevant Evidence on Grounds of Prejudice, Confusion, or Waste of Time](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R403.md)
- [ER 404 Rule 404. Character Evidence Not Admissible To Prove Conduct; Exceptions; Other Crimes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R404.md)
- [ER 405 Rule 405. Methods of Proving Character](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R405.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_ER_R401. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.