Synonyms: Command button, push button
See also: Menu button, link, toggle switch, switch, tab, accordion
Buttons are used to execute a command (see DIN EN ISO 9241-161: 8.32).
A button consists of a text or graphic label and a visual indicator in order to identify the button as such. A border is usually used as a visual indicator for buttons.
Buttons can be used within other elements, e.g. in tables, tree structures, toolbars, scrollbars, tab panels containing tabs, accordions, input fields, spin buttons, drop-down lists and combined input fields. Deviating requirements concerning the buttons are described in the sections about these elements
Presentation
Permalink "Presentation"| No. | Property | Description | Classification | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 482 | Contrast | If the button has a text label, this must have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 with respect to the background. | Must | EN 301 549: 9.1.4.3, 11.1.4.3 |
| 483 | Contrast | If the button has a graphic label, this must have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 with respect to the background. | Must | EN 301 549: 9.1.4.11, 11.1.4.11 |
| 484 | Contrast | If the button is only identifiable as such on the basis of its color design, the color must have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 with respect to the neighboring colors. Note 1: A button might be recognizable as an interactive element on the basis of its border or its background color, for example. Note 2: The requirement does not apply if the button is clearly identifiable as a button, because of its position or labeling, for example. | Must | EN 301 549: 9.1.4.11, 11.1.4.11 |
| 485 | Label | The visible label of the button must correspond to or be contained in the name of the button which is communicated to the Accessibility API (see Label). | Must | EN 301 549 9.2.5.3, 11.2.5.3 |
| 486 | Label | If the button has a graphic label, the button should have a tooltip with a text label. | Should | WCAG 2.1: 3.3.5 (AAA); DIN EN ISO 9241-143: 9.6.11 |
| 487 | Focus visibility | If the button receives the keyboard focus, the focus indicator must be visible (see Focus indicator). | Must | EN 301 549: 9.2.4.7, 11.2.4.7 |
Operation
Permalink "Operation"| No. | Property | Description | Classification | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 488 | Use of the keyboard | It must be possible to access, operate and exit the button with the keyboard (see Use of the keyboard table). | Must | EN 301 549: 9.2.1.1, 11.2.1.1, 9.2.1.2, 11.2.1.2 |
| 489 | Use of the keyboard | Frequently used buttons should have a keyboard shortcut which is documented in the application and the Help option. | Should | DIN EN ISO 9241-171: 9.3.10 |
| 490 | Web: Use of the keyboard | It must be possible to skip areas of content with buttons that occur on several pages using the keyboard (see Practical tip: efficient navigation). | Must | EN 301 549: 9.2.4.1 |
| 491 | Use of the keyboard | If a window contains areas with several buttons, a mechanism should be implemented for skipping these page areas with the keyboard (see Practical tip: efficient navigation). | Should | DIN EN ISO 9241-171: 9.3.16, 9.3.17 |
| 492 | Use of the pointing device | It must be possible to undo or cancel the accidental enabling of the button. To do this, the button may only be enabled when it is released, i.e. only upon the up event and not upon the down event (see Use of the pointing device). | Must | EN 301 549: 9.2.5.2, 11.2.5.2 |
| 493 | Updates | When the button is focused, no change of context may occur. | Must | EN 301 549: 9.3.2.1, 11.3.2.1 |
| 494 | Updates | If the enabling of the button causes a new window or a modal pop-up to open, the focus must be placed in the window and/or the pop-up (see Navigation sequence). | Must | EN 301 549: 9.2.4.3, 11.2.4.3 |
| 495 | Updates | If an unannounced change of context is performed through the enabling of the button within the current program interface, this must take place according to the current position of the keyboard focus, or the focus must be placed at the beginning of the updated area. | Must | EN 301 549: 11.2.4.3 |
| 496 | Updates | If an update is performed through the enabling of the button within the current program interface that requires an interaction on the part of the user, this should take place according to the current position of the keyboard focus. The keyboard focus should remain on the button or be placed at the beginning of the updated area (see Change of context). Note: User interaction can mean reading a piece of information or the operation of interactive elements. | Should | WCAG 2.1: 3.2.5 (AAA) |
| 497 | Updates | If the button is removed from the program interface as a result of its enabling, the focus should be placed on a neighboring control element or on a control element with which the work can be continued in a coherent way. Note: This applies, for example, to Delete buttons which refer to a single element. | Should | WCAG 2.1: 3.2.5 (AAA) |
| 498 | Click area | The click area of the button should be at least 24 x 24 px (see Use of the pointing device). | Should | WCAG 2.2 |
Use of the keyboard: button
Permalink "Use of the keyboard: button"| Action | Key | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Focusing of the button | TAB | Required |
| Exiting the button | TAB | Required |
| Enabling the button | SPACE, ENTER | Required |
Use of the pointing device: button
Permalink "Use of the pointing device: button"| Action | Key | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Enabling the button | Left click | Required |
Programming/interfaces
Permalink "Programming/interfaces"| No. | Property | Description | Classification | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 499 | Role | The button role must be communicated to the Accessibility API (see Accessibility API). | Must | EN 301 549: 9.4.1.2, 1.4.1.2, 11.5.2.5 |
| 500 | Status | The status of the button must be communicated to the Accessibility API (see Element status). | Must | EN 301 549: 9.4.1.2, 11.4.1.2, 11.5.2.5 |
| 501 | Name | The button must have a concise and expressive Accessible Name. | Must | EN 301 549: 9.2.4.6, 11.2.4.6, 9.4.1.2, 11.4.1.2, 11.5.2. |
| 502 | Name | If the button has a description, it must be communicated as an Accessible Description. | Must | EN 301 549: 9.4.1.2, 11.4.1.2, 11.5.2.5 |
| 503 | Name | If the purpose of the button is determined by the visual context, this context must be communicated as part of the Accessible Name or Accessible Description. Note: The Accessible Name of a button cannot, therefore, be simply “Close” or “Delete” if only the visual context indicates which element is closed or deleted. Instead, the Accessible Name must be “Close pop-up” or “Delete file [file name]”, for instance. Alternatively, the Accessible Description must contain a reference to the element which is to be closed or deleted. | Must | EN 301 549: 9.1.3.1, 11.1.3.1, 9.2.4.6, 11.2.4.6, 9.3.3.2, 11.3.3.2 |
| 504 | Keyboard shortcut | If the button has a visually perceptible keyboard shortcut, it must be communicated to the Accessibility API. | Must | EN 301 549: 9.1.3.1, 11.1.3.1 |
| 505 | Operation | It must be possible to access, operate and exit the button with assistive technology (see Accessibility API). | Must | EN 301 549: 9.4.1.2, 11.4.1.2, 11.5.2.12, 11.5.2.17 |
| 506 | Update | Updates concerning the Accessible Name or status of the button must be communicated to the Accessibility API (see Accessibility API). | Must | EN 301 549: 9.4.1.2, 11.4.1.2, 11.5.2.15 |
| 507 | Desktop: Position | The size and position of the button must be communicated to the Accessibility API (see Focus indicator). | Must | EN 301 549: EN 301 549: 11.5.2.5, 11.5.2.13 |
Practical tip: buttons in Web applications
Permalink "Practical tip: buttons in Web applications"Screen reader output
Permalink "Screen reader output"- JAWS: [label] button [note on operation with the Enter key]
- NVDA: [label] button | graphics button
- Windows Narrator: [label] button
Please note:
- The type of button (
type=reset,type=submit,type=button) is not perceptible with the screen readers. - Only NVDA outputs the element
<input type=image>as a “graphic button”.
HTML
Permalink "HTML"The button should be implemented with the HTML elements <button> or <input type=button>. For graphic buttons, <input type=image> can be used. In forms, <input type=submit> and/or <input type=reset> can be used for the buttons for sending and resetting the inputs.
Label:
- The labeling of the buttons that are labeled with
<button>should take place using the text content. - The labeling of the buttons that are labeled with
<input>should take place using thevalueattribute. - Buttons that are labeled with
<input type=submit>or<input type=reset>do not need to be explicitly labeled because they are labeled automatically by the browser (with “Send” and “Reset”, for instance). The default labeling of the browser can be overridden with thevalueattribute, however. This is recommended if reference is made to these buttons in the application or the Help option, because the label of the buttons is otherwise different according to the browser. - In the case of graphic buttons, the labeling takes place using the alternative text of the graphic (e. g.
<input type=image alt=…>and/or<button><img alt=…></button>) or witharia-label. It should be noted that the button label does not describe the graphic, but the purpose of the button. - The labeling of the buttons should be concise, unambiguous and expressive. Buttons labeled “Click here” or “Detailed view” are not considered expressive. The label should either be expressive (e.g. “Detailed view of Joe Bloggs”), or the description should explain the purpose of the button (with
aria-describedbyortitle, for example).
Status and type:
- Buttons can be marked as disabled (
disabled). - With buttons that are used for navigation or pagination,
aria-currentcan be used to mark the button which refers to the current element. - Buttons that are used to show and hide areas should be marked with
aria-expandedto communicate the status of the areas (shown or hidden). - Buttons that open a pop-up should not be labeled
aria-haspopup, even if the attribute is intended for that purpose. This is because, when combined with a button,aria-haspopupcauses the element to be output as a menu button. Instead, links should be used witharia-haspopupr buttons that have a text note in the description.
Further information: 4.10.6 The button element - HTML Standard (whatwg.org), 4.10.5.1.21 Button state (type=button) - HTML Standard (whatwg.org), 4.10.5.1.19 Image Button state (type=image) - HTML Standard (whatwg.org), 4.10.5.1.18 Submit Button state (type=submit) - HTML Standard (whatwg.org), 4.10.5.1.20 Reset Button state (type=reset) - HTML Standard (whatwg.org)
ARIA
Permalink "ARIA"If the button is not implemented with the HTML element, in addition to the notes on HTML buttons, it is necessary to take account of the following:
- The role is communicated with
role=button. - Disabled buttons can be marked with
aria-disabled. - The buttons should be visually marked (with a border, for example) so that their role is also perceptible with the use of Windows Contrast Adjustment.
Further information: button role - Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA) 1.2 (w3.org), Button Pattern | APG | WAI | W3C
Information about this article
You are welcome to send feedback by email about our handout!