Radio Button

‍Best Practices

When designing radio buttons for mobile:

Keep groups small. Too many options can overwhelm users on smaller screens. If the list exceeds five or six choices, consider using another pattern such as a picker or drop-down.

Label clearly. Each button should have a concise label that directly states the option’s meaning. Placing labels to the right of the button is standard for left-to-right languages.

Ensure only one selection. When a user selects a new option, any previously selected option should automatically deselect.

Provide immediate feedback. Tapping a radio button should produce an obvious visual change (e.g., filled circle or highlight) confirming the user’s choice.

Style

Radio buttons typically consist of a circular outline that highlights the interior when selected. On mobile:

Size and spacing. Maintain a comfortable tap target (at least 44×44 pt) to reduce input errors. Sufficient spacing between radio buttons prevents accidental selection of adjacent options.

Visual clarity. A distinct outline or fill color makes the selection state easily recognizable. Subtle animations or transitions can help signal the selection change.

Consistency with themes. Align radio buttons with your overall color palette, ensuring adequate contrast between the selected and unselected states.

Content

A radio button group represents multiple exclusive choices. Each label should be succinct, yet descriptive enough to convey a clear difference among options.

Inline or stacked. Inline layouts can be space-saving, but stacking vertically often supports readability, especially when labels are longer.

Help text (optional). In cases where users need more context for each option, brief helper text under each label can guide decision-making.

Default selection. If one option is most likely correct for the majority of users, consider pre-selecting it to streamline their process.

Role

Radio buttons help users make a single choice quickly and confidently:

Single-choice forms. Whether it’s selecting a shipping method, a feedback rating, or a preference within a settings page, radio buttons offer clarity for exclusive picks.

Surveys and polls. For multiple questions requiring single selections (e.g., “Yes” or “No”), radio buttons maintain consistency and reduce confusion.

Configuration settings. In areas where users must choose one configuration (like language or theme), radio buttons clearly indicate which option is active.