A step sequence is a required element in all four disciplines of figure skating: men's single skating, women's single skating, pair skating, and ice dance. Step sequences have been defined as "steps and turns in a pattern on the ice". Skaters earn the most points in step sequences by performing steps and movements with "flair and personality", by turning in both directions, by using one foot and then the other, and by including up and down movements.

Step sequences in pair skating should be performed "together or close together". Step sequences are required in the short programs, as prescribed by the ISU, for both senior and junior pairs teams, but are not required for their free skates. The step sequence must be "visible and identifiable", in any shape they like (oval, circle, straight line, serpentine, or similar shapes), over the full ice surface. The ISU also defines a step sequence in ice dance as "a series of prescribed or un-prescribed steps, turns and movements in a Rhythm Dance or a Free Dance". Step sequences in ice dance have three divisions: types, groups, and styles.

A step sequence is a required element in all disciplines of figure skating, single skating, pair skating, and ice dance. Step sequences have been defined as "steps and turns in a pattern on the ice". The International Skating Union (ISU), the organization that oversees figure skating, requires that all step sequences be performed "according to the character of the music"; short stops in accordance with the music are also allowed. There is no longer a prescribed pattern for step sequences, but skaters must fully use the ice surface. The turns and steps they perform must be difficult and balanced in their distribution. None of the turns and steps is counted more than twice.

Skaters earn the most points in step sequences by performing steps and movements with "flair and personality", by turning in both directions, by using one foot and then the other, and by including up and down movements.

There are three feature levels in step sequences; the higher the feature, the more points skaters earn. Level 1 (minimum variety) must include at least five difficult turns and steps. Level 2 (simple variety) must include at least seven difficult turns and steps. Level 3 (variety) must include at least nine difficult turns and steps. Level 4 (complexity), which does not apply to pairs skaters, must include at least eleven difficult turns and steps.

Skaters must exhibit "two combinations of 3 difficult turns on different feet executed with continuous flow within the sequence". The ISU also states, "Only one difficult turn may be repeated in the two combinations", adding that "only the first combination attempted on each foot can be counted" in the scores. Additionally, skaters must execute full-body rotations in both directions, left and right.

The ISU differentiates between turns and steps and difficult turns and steps, which must be executed on clean edges. Turns include twizzles, brackets, loops, counters, rockers, and three turns. Steps include toe steps, chasses, mohawks, change of edge steps, and cross rolls. Difficult turns and steps include twizzles, brackets, loops, counters, rockers, and choctaws. If a turn is "jumped", it is not counted in the skaters' scores, although as of 2022, skaters could include single jumps in their step sequences as choreographic elements without incurring a penalty.

It is required that both junior and senior single skaters include a maximum of one step sequence in their short programs; senior skaters must include a step sequence in their free skating programs. As of 2022, junior skaters were no longer required to include a step sequence in their free skates; instead, they had to include a choreographic sequence because ISU officials wanted them to focus more on their program components.