We give an axiomatic characterization of maps from algebraic K-theory. The results apply to a large class of maps from algebraic K-theory to any suitable cohomology theory or to algebraic K-theory. In particular, we obtain comparison theorems for the Chern character and Chern classes and for the Adams operations and λ-operations on higher algebraic K-theory. We show that the Adams operations and λ-operations defined by Grayson agree with the ones defined by Gillet and Soulé.