When to Use

Apply when designing input fields, form controls, validation, and user data entry interfaces.

Rules

• Provide visible labels for all form controls
• Associate labels programmatically with their corresponding inputs
• Group related form fields with clear legends
• Provide clear instructions for required fields and formats
• Display error messages near the related form fields
• Preserve user input when form validation fails
• Provide multiple ways to submit forms
• Ensure form controls are keyboard accessible
• Clearly identify errors in text with specific descriptions
• Provide confirmation for critical actions (legal, financial, data changes)
• Allow users to review and correct information before submission

Avoid

• Using placeholder text as the only field label
• Hiding labels that are only visible to screen readers
• Ambiguous error messages that don't identify the problem
• Auto-advancing focus that disrupts user control