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  • When the user clicks a link, they are taken to a different location in the site.
    • Either another page or even another area of the same page
  • A link can look like a big shiny button but it must be coded as <a> link

If it does something, it’s a <button>

  • Buttons cause an action to occur on the same page
    • Submit a form (even when submission takes you to a new page)
    • Open a menu
    • Launch a modal
    • Expand details
  • A button can look like a link, but it must be coded as a <button>

Code examples

Use semantic HTML

  • This semantic HTML contains all accessibility features by default
  • It uses CSS pseudo attributes to create the arrow indicator, no Javascript
<button>
  Continue
</button>

This semantic HTML looks like a link, but it is still a button.

<button class="inline">
  Continue
</button>

Fully disabled button

A button that uses the disabled attribute will not be focusable, but it is still discoverable by the screen reader while browsing.

<button disabled>
  Continue
</button>

Focusable disabled button

When a button isn’t ready to submit a form yet, but can still be clicked, use aria-disabled="true" to increase perceivability for people using a screen reader. Ex: Clicks submit and is notified of errors in the form.

<button aria-disabled="true">
  Continue
</button>

When you can’t use semantic HTML

This custom button requires extra attributes and JS event listeners. Adding tabindex="0" makes it focusable.

<div role="button" tabindex="0">
  Continue
</div>

Avoid icon buttons

Buttons with no visible text (icon only) are inadvisable.

Use your words

You can think of words like a group of symbols that mean things.

When using an icon with no text is unavoidable, DO NOT rely on the alt attribute for the button name.

  • As a last resort, aria-label can be used.
  • aria-label will (typically) replace the inner text of the button for the screen reader output.
<button aria-label="Get my location">
  <!-- icon goes here -->
</button>

Design notes

Related button entries