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Radio Button

Radio buttons are input elements that allow users to select a single option from a set of mutually exclusive choices.
 

Table of contents:

Behaviour

Radio buttons are used when there is a list of two or more options that are mutually exclusive and the user must select exactly one choice. In other words, clicking a non-selected radio button will deselect whatever other button was previously selected in the list.

Configuration

Try to lay out your lists vertically. When radio buttons lay our horizontally, users can face problems scanning the option— it hard to tell with which label corresponds to which option: the one before the button or the one after. Vertical positioning of radio buttons is safer.

 

If you still need a horizontal layout with multiple options per line, make sure to space the buttons and labels so that it’s absolutely clear which choice goes with which label. 

Best practices

Do!

Limit radio buttons to 5 options and order them in a logical way.

Do!

Only one option can be chosen.

Do!

Labels should start with a capital letter.

Do!

Labels should be short and concise, using a clear description on the selection.

Do!

Always offer a default selection for radio button lists.

Don't!

Don't use radio buttons for multiple choice. Use checkboxes instead.

Don't!

Don't include punctuation.