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ComponentCraft conventionFoundational

Checkbox

Independent on or off choices, where the label is part of the target.

Definition

A checkbox represents a binary choice that is independent of other checkboxes. Multiple checkboxes in a group allow any combination, including none.

Craft convention. True because the industry converged on it. Breaking it costs familiarity, not correctness.

On this page
  1. Definition
  2. Requirements
  3. Continue from here

Requirements

  • The label must be clickable and part of the target area. This often triples the effective target size for free.
  • Write labels as positive statements. 'Do not send me email' inverted with a checkbox produces double negatives.
  • Group related checkboxes in a fieldset with a legend, so the group's purpose reaches assistive technology.
  • Support an indeterminate state for parent checkboxes controlling a group, and set it through the DOM property rather than an attribute.
  • Consent checkboxes must never be pre-checked.

Each link says what the connection is, so you can tell a principle from an alternative from a thing people mix this up with.

Applies when you are designing

Principles behind this

The reasoning this solution is an application of.

Depends on

Get these right first, or this one will not hold.

Often used with

These usually appear in the same screen or the same decision.

Commonly confused with

Close enough to be mixed up, different enough to matter.

  • Toggle SwitchComponent

    A toggle takes effect immediately. A checkbox waits for submit.

Check your work

Review passes that test whether this was done properly.