diff --git a/src/demo-app/a11y/a11y-module.ts b/src/demo-app/a11y/a11y-module.ts
index b27f2c0f89e6..9911341393ea 100644
--- a/src/demo-app/a11y/a11y-module.ts
+++ b/src/demo-app/a11y/a11y-module.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import {
 } from './dialog/dialog-a11y';
 import {ExpansionPanelAccessibilityDemo} from './expansion/expansion-a11y';
 import {GridListAccessibilityDemo} from './grid-list/grid-list-a11y';
+import {ListAccessibilityDemo} from './list/list-a11y';
 import {RadioAccessibilityDemo} from './radio/radio-a11y';
 import {ToolbarAccessibilityDemo} from './toolbar/toolbar-a11y';
 import {DatepickerAccessibilityDemo} from './datepicker/datepicker-a11y';
@@ -93,6 +94,7 @@ export class AccessibilityRoutingModule {}
     GridListAccessibilityDemo,
     IconAccessibilityDemo,
     InputAccessibilityDemo,
+    ListAccessibilityDemo,
     MenuAccessibilityDemo,
     ProgressBarAccessibilityDemo,
     ProgressSpinnerAccessibilityDemo,
diff --git a/src/demo-app/a11y/a11y.ts b/src/demo-app/a11y/a11y.ts
index 3ac3cd80d39d..9db5dda65aa7 100644
--- a/src/demo-app/a11y/a11y.ts
+++ b/src/demo-app/a11y/a11y.ts
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ export class AccessibilityDemo implements OnDestroy {
     {name: 'Grid list', route: 'grid-list'},
     {name: 'Icon', route: 'icon'},
     {name: 'Input', route: 'input'},
+    {name: 'List', route: 'list'},
     {name: 'Menu', route: 'menu'},
     {name: 'Progress bar', route: 'progress-bar'},
     {name: 'Progress spinner', route: 'progress-spinner'},
diff --git a/src/demo-app/a11y/list/list-a11y.html b/src/demo-app/a11y/list/list-a11y.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..70eea8b8410b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/demo-app/a11y/list/list-a11y.html
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+<div class="demo-list">
+  <section>
+    <h2> Seasoning </h2>
+    <p>Showing a non-interactive list of seasonings.</p>
+    <mat-list role="list">
+      <mat-list-item *ngFor="let item of items"> {{item}} </mat-list-item>
+    </mat-list>
+  </section>
+
+
+  <section>
+    <h2>Mailbox navigation</h2>
+    <p>Showing a navigation list with links to google search</p>
+    <mat-nav-list>
+      <a mat-list-item *ngFor="let link of links"
+         href="https://www.google.com/search?q={{link.name}}">
+        {{link.name}}
+      </a>
+    </mat-nav-list>
+  </section>
+
+  <section>
+    <h2>Messages</h2>
+    <p>
+      Showing a list of messages, where each message item has sender's name, sender's avatar,
+      message subject, and content of the message.
+    </p>
+    <mat-list role="list">
+      <mat-list-item *ngFor="let message of messages">
+        <img mat-list-avatar [src]="message.image" [alt]="message.from">
+        <h3 mat-line> {{message.from}} </h3>
+        <p mat-line> {{message.subject}} </p>
+        <p mat-line class="demo-secondary-text"> {{message.message}} </p>
+      </mat-list-item>
+    </mat-list>
+
+  </section>
+
+  <section>
+    <h2>Seasoning</h2>
+    <p>Showing a non-interactive list of seasonings with dense style.</p>
+    <mat-list dense>
+      <mat-list-item *ngFor="let item of items"> {{item}} </mat-list-item>
+    </mat-list>
+  </section>
+
+  <section>
+    <h2>Folders and notes for mailbox </h2>
+    <p>Showing a list with two sections, "folders" and "notes".</p>
+    <mat-list role="list">
+      <h3 mat-subheader>Folders</h3>
+      <mat-list-item *ngFor="let folder of folders">
+        <mat-icon mat-list-icon>folder</mat-icon>
+        <h4 mat-line>{{folder.name}}</h4>
+        <p mat-line class="demo-secondary-text"> {{folder.updated}} </p>
+      </mat-list-item>
+      <mat-divider></mat-divider>
+      <h3 mat-subheader>Notes</h3>
+      <mat-list-item *ngFor="let note of notes">
+        <mat-icon mat-list-icgon>note</mat-icon>
+        <h4 mat-line>{{note.name}}</h4>
+        <p mat-line class="demo-secondary-text"> {{note.updated}} </p>
+      </mat-list-item>
+    </mat-list>
+  </section>
+</div>
diff --git a/src/demo-app/a11y/list/list-a11y.scss b/src/demo-app/a11y/list/list-a11y.scss
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..1d270debe13d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/demo-app/a11y/list/list-a11y.scss
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+.demo-list {
+  .mat-list, .mat-nav-list {
+    border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12);
+    max-width: 350px;
+    margin: 20px 20px 0 0;
+  }
+
+  .demo-secondary-text {
+    color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/demo-app/a11y/list/list-a11y.ts b/src/demo-app/a11y/list/list-a11y.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..3a033d24cb58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/demo-app/a11y/list/list-a11y.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright Google LLC All Rights Reserved.
+ *
+ * Use of this source code is governed by an MIT-style license that can be
+ * found in the LICENSE file at https://angular.io/license
+ */
+
+import {Component} from '@angular/core';
+
+@Component({
+  moduleId: module.id,
+  selector: 'list-a11y',
+  templateUrl: 'list-a11y.html',
+  styleUrls: ['list-a11y.css']
+})
+export class ListAccessibilityDemo {
+  items: string[] = [
+    'Pepper',
+    'Salt',
+    'Paprika'
+  ];
+
+  messages = [
+    {
+      from: 'Nancy',
+      subject: 'Brunch?',
+      message: 'Did you want to go on Sunday? I was thinking that might work.',
+      image: 'https://angular.io/generated/images/bios/julie-ralph.jpg'
+    },
+    {
+      from: 'Mary',
+      subject: 'Summer BBQ',
+      message: 'Wish I could come, but I have some prior obligations.',
+      image: 'https://angular.io/generated/images/bios/juleskremer.jpg'
+    },
+    {
+      from: 'Bobby',
+      subject: 'Oui oui',
+      message: 'Do you have Paris reservations for the 15th? I just booked!',
+      image: 'https://angular.io/generated/images/bios/jelbourn.jpg'
+    }
+  ];
+
+  links = [
+    {name: 'Inbox'},
+    {name: 'Outbox'},
+    {name: 'Spam'},
+    {name: 'Trash'}
+
+  ];
+
+  folders = [
+    {name: 'Imported', updated: 'Miles'},
+    {name: 'Important', updated: 'Tina'},
+    {name: 'Unread', updated: 'Jeremy'},
+  ];
+
+  notes = [
+    {name: 'Update screenshots', updated: 'Kara'},
+    {name: 'Install new application', updated: 'Andrew'},
+  ];
+}
diff --git a/src/demo-app/a11y/routes.ts b/src/demo-app/a11y/routes.ts
index 6d729336e2c5..8ce0372611af 100644
--- a/src/demo-app/a11y/routes.ts
+++ b/src/demo-app/a11y/routes.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import {ToolbarAccessibilityDemo} from './toolbar/toolbar-a11y';
 import {DatepickerAccessibilityDemo} from './datepicker/datepicker-a11y';
 import {IconAccessibilityDemo} from './icon/icon-a11y';
 import {InputAccessibilityDemo} from './input/input-a11y';
+import {ListAccessibilityDemo} from './list/list-a11y';
 import {MenuAccessibilityDemo} from './menu/menu-a11y';
 import {ProgressBarAccessibilityDemo} from './progress-bar/progress-bar-a11y';
 import {ProgressSpinnerAccessibilityDemo} from './progress-spinner/progress-spinner-a11y';
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ export const ACCESSIBILITY_DEMO_ROUTES: Routes = [
   {path: 'grid-list', component: GridListAccessibilityDemo},
   {path: 'icon', component: IconAccessibilityDemo},
   {path: 'input', component: InputAccessibilityDemo},
+  {path: 'list', component: ListAccessibilityDemo},
   {path: 'menu', component: MenuAccessibilityDemo},
   {path: 'progress-bar', component: ProgressBarAccessibilityDemo},
   {path: 'progress-spinner', component: ProgressSpinnerAccessibilityDemo},
diff --git a/src/lib/list/list-module.ts b/src/lib/list/list-module.ts
index dea04202fd89..d29e01c1b0e7 100644
--- a/src/lib/list/list-module.ts
+++ b/src/lib/list/list-module.ts
@@ -17,13 +17,12 @@ import {
 import {
   MatDividerCssMatStyler,
   MatList,
+  MatNavList,
   MatListAvatarCssMatStyler,
-  MatListCssMatStyler,
   MatListDivider,
   MatListIconCssMatStyler,
   MatListItem,
   MatListSubheaderCssMatStyler,
-  MatNavListCssMatStyler,
 } from './list';
 import {MatListOption, MatSelectionList} from './selection-list';
 
@@ -32,14 +31,13 @@ import {MatListOption, MatSelectionList} from './selection-list';
   imports: [MatLineModule, MatRippleModule, MatCommonModule, MatPseudoCheckboxModule, CommonModule],
   exports: [
     MatList,
+    MatNavList,
     MatListItem,
     MatListDivider,
     MatListAvatarCssMatStyler,
     MatLineModule,
     MatCommonModule,
     MatListIconCssMatStyler,
-    MatListCssMatStyler,
-    MatNavListCssMatStyler,
     MatDividerCssMatStyler,
     MatListSubheaderCssMatStyler,
     MatPseudoCheckboxModule,
@@ -48,12 +46,11 @@ import {MatListOption, MatSelectionList} from './selection-list';
   ],
   declarations: [
     MatList,
+    MatNavList,
     MatListItem,
     MatListDivider,
     MatListAvatarCssMatStyler,
     MatListIconCssMatStyler,
-    MatListCssMatStyler,
-    MatNavListCssMatStyler,
     MatDividerCssMatStyler,
     MatListSubheaderCssMatStyler,
     MatSelectionList,
diff --git a/src/lib/list/list.html b/src/lib/list/list.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..9af43669be38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/list/list.html
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+<ng-content></ng-content>
+
diff --git a/src/lib/list/list.md b/src/lib/list/list.md
index b26595f5becf..43d5786bf6fc 100644
--- a/src/lib/list/list.md
+++ b/src/lib/list/list.md
@@ -150,3 +150,12 @@ To add a divider, use `<mat-divider>`.
    </mat-list-item>
 </mat-list>
 ```
+
+### Accessibility
+By default, the list assumes that it will be used in a purely decorative fashion and thus sets no
+roles, ARIA attributes, or keyboard shortcuts. This is equivalent to having a sequence of <div>
+elements on the page. Any interactive content within the list should be given an appropriate
+accessibility treatment based on the specific workflow of your application.
+
+If the list is used to present a list of non-interactive content items, then the list element should
+be given `role="list"` and each list item should be given `role="listitem"`.
diff --git a/src/lib/list/list.spec.ts b/src/lib/list/list.spec.ts
index f2b60c500aef..b7644f7e247c 100644
--- a/src/lib/list/list.spec.ts
+++ b/src/lib/list/list.spec.ts
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ describe('MatList', () => {
 
     let list = fixture.debugElement.children[0];
     let listItem = fixture.debugElement.children[0].query(By.css('mat-list-item'));
-    expect(list.nativeElement.getAttribute('role')).toBe('list');
+    expect(list.nativeElement.getAttribute('role')).toBeNull();
     expect(listItem.nativeElement.getAttribute('role')).toBe('listitem');
   });
 
diff --git a/src/lib/list/list.ts b/src/lib/list/list.ts
index 6cd9efcd0f9a..ab278121609d 100644
--- a/src/lib/list/list.ts
+++ b/src/lib/list/list.ts
@@ -44,37 +44,34 @@ export class MatListDivider {}
 /** A Material Design list component. */
 @Component({
   moduleId: module.id,
-  selector: 'mat-list, mat-nav-list',
-  exportAs: 'matList, matNavList',
-  host: {'role': 'list'},
-  template: '<ng-content></ng-content>',
+  selector: 'mat-nav-list',
+  exportAs: 'matNavList',
+  host: {
+    'role': 'navigation',
+    'class': 'mat-nav-list'
+  },
+  templateUrl: 'list.html',
   styleUrls: ['list.css'],
   inputs: ['disableRipple'],
   encapsulation: ViewEncapsulation.None,
   preserveWhitespaces: false,
   changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
 })
-export class MatList extends _MatListMixinBase implements CanDisableRipple {}
+export class MatNavList extends _MatListMixinBase implements CanDisableRipple {}
 
-/**
- * Directive whose purpose is to add the mat- CSS styling to this selector.
- * @docs-private
- */
-@Directive({
+@Component({
+  moduleId: module.id,
   selector: 'mat-list',
-  host: {'class': 'mat-list'}
-})
-export class MatListCssMatStyler {}
-
-/**
- * Directive whose purpose is to add the mat- CSS styling to this selector.
- * @docs-private
- */
-@Directive({
-  selector: 'mat-nav-list',
-  host: {'class': 'mat-nav-list'}
+  exportAs: 'matList',
+  templateUrl: 'list.html',
+  host: {'class': 'mat-list'},
+  styleUrls: ['list.css'],
+  inputs: ['disableRipple'],
+  encapsulation: ViewEncapsulation.None,
+  preserveWhitespaces: false,
+  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
 })
-export class MatNavListCssMatStyler {}
+export class MatList extends _MatListMixinBase implements CanDisableRipple {}
 
 /**
  * Directive whose purpose is to add the mat- CSS styling to this selector.
@@ -150,10 +147,9 @@ export class MatListItem extends _MatListItemMixinBase implements AfterContentIn
   }
 
   constructor(private _element: ElementRef,
-              @Optional() private _list: MatList,
-              @Optional() navList: MatNavListCssMatStyler) {
+              @Optional() private _navList: MatNavList) {
     super();
-    this._isNavList = !!navList;
+    this._isNavList = !!_navList;
   }
 
   ngAfterContentInit() {
@@ -162,7 +158,7 @@ export class MatListItem extends _MatListItemMixinBase implements AfterContentIn
 
   /** Whether this list item should show a ripple effect when clicked.  */
   _isRippleDisabled() {
-    return !this._isNavList || this.disableRipple || this._list.disableRipple;
+    return !this._isNavList || this.disableRipple || this._navList.disableRipple;
   }
 
   _handleFocus() {
diff --git a/src/material-examples/list-overview/list-overview-example.html b/src/material-examples/list-overview/list-overview-example.html
index 4c59db7aa84e..9c416b76f0d3 100644
--- a/src/material-examples/list-overview/list-overview-example.html
+++ b/src/material-examples/list-overview/list-overview-example.html
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-<mat-list>
+<mat-list role="list">
   <mat-list-item>Item 1</mat-list-item>
   <mat-list-item>Item 2</mat-list-item>
   <mat-list-item>Item 3</mat-list-item>