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Radio Buttons

Radio buttons allow users to select exactly one choice from a group.


Default

Component Preview

Select one historical figure

Component Code

<fieldset class="usa-fieldset">
  <legend class="usa-legend">Select one historical figure</legend>
  <div class="usa-radio">
    <input class="usa-radio__input" id="historical-truth" type="radio" name="historical-figures" value="sojourner-truth" checked="checked" />
    <label class="usa-radio__label" for="historical-truth">Sojourner Truth</label>
  </div>
  <div class="usa-radio">
    <input class="usa-radio__input" id="historical-douglass" type="radio" name="historical-figures" value="frederick-douglass" />
    <label class="usa-radio__label" for="historical-douglass">Frederick Douglass</label>
  </div>
  <div class="usa-radio">
    <input class="usa-radio__input" id="historical-washington" type="radio" name="historical-figures" value="booker-t-washington" />
    <label class="usa-radio__label" for="historical-washington">Booker T. Washington</label>
  </div>
  <div class="usa-radio">
    <input class="usa-radio__input" id="historical-carver" type="radio" name="historical-figures" value="george-washington-carver" disabled="disabled" />
    <label class="usa-radio__label" for="historical-carver">George Washington Carver</label>
  </div>
</fieldset>

Tile

Component Preview

Select one historical figure

Component Code

<form class="usa-form">
  <fieldset class="usa-fieldset">
    <legend class="usa-legend">Select one historical figure</legend>
    <div class="usa-radio">
      <input class="usa-radio__input usa-radio__input--tile" id="historical-truth-tile" type="radio" name="historical-figures-tile" value="sojourner-truth" checked="checked" />
      <label class="usa-radio__label" for="historical-truth-tile">Sojourner Truth</label>
    </div>
    <div class="usa-radio">
      <input class="usa-radio__input usa-radio__input--tile" id="historical-douglass-tile" type="radio" name="historical-figures-tile" value="frederick-douglass" />
      <label class="usa-radio__label" for="historical-douglass-tile">Frederick Douglass
        <span class="usa-checkbox__label-description">This is optional text that can be used to describe the label in more detail.</span>
      </label>
    </div>
    <div class="usa-radio">
      <input class="usa-radio__input usa-radio__input--tile" id="historical-washington-tile" type="radio" name="historical-figures-tile" value="booker-t-washington" />
      <label class="usa-radio__label" for="historical-washington-tile">Booker T. Washington</label>
    </div>
    <div class="usa-radio">
      <input class="usa-radio__input usa-radio__input--tile" id="historical-carver-tile" type="radio" name="historical-figures-tile" value="george-washington-carver" disabled="disabled" />
      <label class="usa-radio__label" for="historical-carver-tile">George Washington Carver</label>
    </div>
  </fieldset>
</form>


Guidance

When to use the radio buttons component

To display a single selection.
When users need to select only one option from a set of mutually exclusive choices.

When to consider something else

Multiple selections.
If users need to select more than one option or if there's only one item to select, use checkboxes instead.
Limited space.
Consider a select component if you don't have enough space to list out all available options.
Selecting none.
If users should be able to select zero of the options or change their mind and unselect an option, consider using checkboxes. You can also choose to add a "none of the above" option to the radio button group instead.

Usability guidance

Use the label as a target.
Users should be able to select either the text label or the radio button to select or deselect an option.
List items vertically.
Vertically-listed options are easier to read than those that are listed horizontally. A horizontal layout can make it difficult to tell which label belongs to which radio button.
Use adequate spacing.
Make sure selections are adequately spaced for touch screens. Consider using the tile variant for larger touch targets.
Set default values with caution.
Setting a default value can bias a decision, seem pushy, or alienate users who don't fit your assumptions. Only use a default selection if you have data to back it up.
Don't mix default and tile variants.
Pick one implementation and stick with it. When mixed, tiles can appear to indicate a bias or preference toward that option.
Use a logical order.
Make sure the selection options are organized in a meaningful way, like alphabetical or most-frequent to least-frequent. This helps users easily find the option they're looking for.

Accessibility guidance

Customize form controls accessibly.
If you customize this component, ensure that it continues to meet the accessibility requirements that apply to all form controls.
Use fieldset and legend.
Group related radio buttons together with <fieldset> and describe the group with <legend>.
Use proper labels and attributes.
Each radio button should have a <label>. Associate the two by matching the <label>'s for attribute to the <input>'s id attribute.

USWDS Documentation

For more guidance, view the USWDS Radio Buttons Component Documentation.



Settings

Variable Description
$theme-input-background-color

Background color for radio and checkbox inputs.
$theme-input-tile-border-radius

Tile border radius for rounded corners.
$theme-input-tile-border-width

Tile border thickness.


Variants

Variant Description

.usa-radio__input--tile

Input tiles provide a larger interaction area and neatly group the label with the form control for readability. They're useful in application forms and questionnaires, but may not be recommended when they create clutter on the page.
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