The Coastal Hazard Wheel is a universal coastal adaptation system to address all key coastal challenges simultaneously. It can be used as a complete coastal language and aims to boost adaptation action for the 1 billion people living in coastal areas worldwide and bridge the gap between scientists, policy-makers and the general public. The Coastal Hazard Wheel is based on a new coastal classification system and functions as a key for classifying a particular coastal location, determining its hazard profile, identifying relevant management options and communicating coastal information. It can be used at local, regional and national level and in areas with limited data availability such as developing countries. It has been through a rigorous scientific review process, has been translated to all the official UN languages and is now taken forward by a partnership of leading global knowledge institutions.