Paralympic archers compete in two sport classes: W1 or Open.

In athletics the sport class consists of a prefix 'T' or 'F' and a number. The prefix T stands for 'track' and jumping events, and F stands for 'field'. It indicates for which events the sport class applies, either for track/jump or for field events.

There are six sport classes in Badminton: WH1, WH2, SL3, SL4, SU5, SH6.

There are four sport classes in boccia: BC1, BC2, BC3, BC4. All athletes compete in wheelchairs due to a loss of leg function, arm function and trunk stability, caused by a lack of muscle co-ordination, muscle power and control.

Athletes can compete in two types of boat, kayak (K) and va'a (V). The kayak is propelled by a double blade paddle, while the va'a is an outrigger canoe propelled by a single-blade paddle. These athletes all have a physical impairment. Kayak and Va'a are different disciplines, each with a specific classification (KL and VL respectively) which is based on the same principle.

Athletes with physical impairments either compete on handcycles, tricycles, or bicycles. Athletes with a vision impairment compete on tandems with a sighted 'pilot'.

In Para equestrian dressage riding there are five grades for athletes with different physical and vision impairments which are grouped on the basis of different medical profiles. The profile numbers are directly referenced from Para Equestrian Classification Rules where further description of each profile is provided.

Only athletes who have a B1 sport class may compete in football 5-a-side. This classification applies to the field players. In addition, each team has a sighted, able-bodied goalkeeper, who does not need to undergo classification. To ensure fair competition all athletes (except for the goalkeeper) must wear eyeshades.

Athletes competing in goalball all have varying degrees of vision impairments ranging from the B1 to B3 sport classes. In order to ensure a fair competition between the teams, all athletes must wear eyeshades during the game.

Judoka all have varying degrees of vision impairments ranging from the B1 to B3 sport classes. Therefore B1, B2 and B3 athletes compete together in one event.

There is only one sport class in powerlifting, but the athletes compete in different weight categories. Powerlifting is open to athletes with all eight eligible physical impairments. All athletes have an impairment in their legs or hips, which would prohibit them from competing in able-bodied (standing) weightlifting. In powerlifting, they therefore compete in the bench press.

There are three sport classes for athletes with allowed physical and vision impairments: PR1, PR2, PR3.

In shooting, there are three different sport classes for Paralympic disciplines (pistol, rifle). These sport classes are specific to the event the athlete competes in – either pistol or rifle events.

There are two sport classes in sitting volleyball: VS1 and VS2. The impairment of athletes in sport class VS2 is generally less severe than the impairment of athletes competing in sport class VS1. There can be two athletes with sport class VS2 on the team. To ensure a fair competition between two teams, a team may only have one VS2 athlete on the court at a time. The other five athletes must have sport class VS1.

The sport class names in swimming consist of a prefix 'S' or 'SB' and a number. The prefixes stand for the strokes and the number indicates the sport classes - S: freestyle, butterfly, and backstroke events; SB: breaststroke; SM: individual medley.

In table tennis, athletes with physical impairments compete in sport classes 1-10 and athletes with an intellectual impairment compete in sport class 11.

Taekwondo competitions have two disciplines Kyorugi (prefix 'K') and Poomsae (prefix 'P'). Currently only Kyorugi events for sport class K44 and for certain weight categories are part of the Paralympic Games programme. These medal events however are also open to athletes in sport class K43.

There are six different sport classes for athletes with physical impairments. Those competing in a wheelchair compete in PTWC1 and PTWC2, and those running are numbered PTS2-5. A lower number indicates a more severe activity limitation. There are three other sport classes for athletes with a vision impairment named PTVI1, PTVI2, and PTVI3.

Wheelchair basketball players are allocated one of eight sport classes from 1.0 to 4.5. All athletes compete in a wheelchair and have an impairment affecting their legs. Athletes, for example, have amputations or paraplegia. Not all the athletes are wheelchair users in daily life. While most athletes have normal arm and hand function, the main differences between athletes of different sport classes are trunk control and sitting balance, which allows them to lean forward and sideways to catch and pass the ball. Athletes could be allocated the sport classes 1.5, 2.5 or 3.5. The activity profile of these 'half-pointers' fits in between the profiles of the lower and higher class.

Wheelchair fencers compete in one of five classes (1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4), which are in turn grouped into three event categories: A, B, C.

There are seven different sport classes ranging from 0.5 to 3.5 depending on the severity of their activity limitation.

There are two sport classes in wheelchair tennis (open and quad) and all athletes have an impairment that affects at least one leg - for both classes.