Radio Button

Several options can be selected

Use a group of checkboxes when several options can be selected.

Yes or No Options

For only two opposing yes/no options, use a checkbox.

Correct

Incorrect

2-5 options with short labels

If the options have short labels, use a segmented button.

When to use a drop-down instead

Consider using a drop-down list if:

• There are more than 5 options:

Correct

Incorrect

• The options have long labels.

• The screen space is limited.

• The option might be used less often than other options on the screen.

• There are other drop-down lists in the same group of UI components. A radio button group is more noticeable than a drop-down list, so it will look like a more important setting.

• The setting combines several UI components into one control:

Label

	A label accompanies each radio button and is placed next to it.
	If a label is long, split it into two lines. Avoid labels that take more than two lines. See recommendations on writing concise labels below.

Writing guidelines

• Use sentence-style capitalization.

• Do not use ending punctuation.

• Use the imperative form of verbs.

• Do not use negation in labels as it complicates understanding.

• Make labels short and intelligible — see Writing short and clear text.

Correct

Incorrect

Group label

	Always start a radio button group with a group label to explain what the options are for. Use a colon at the end of a group label.
	Use a checkbox or another radio button as a group label if the radio button group needs to be turned on or off.