Radio buttons
Form fields that allow users to pick a single item.
Sample HTML
<form>
<fieldset>
<legend>Was this page useful?</legend>
<p class="ds_hint-text">Select an option</p>
<div class="ds_field-group">
<div class="ds_radio">
<input class="ds_radio__input" id="useful-yes" name="feedback-type" type="radio" value="yes" />
<label class="ds_radio__label" for="useful-yes">Yes</label>
</div>
<div class="ds_radio">
<input class="ds_radio__input" id="useful-no" name="feedback-type" type="radio" value="no" />
<label class="ds_radio__label" for="useful-no">No</label>
</div>
<div class="ds_radio">
<input class="ds_radio__input" id="useful-maybe" name="feedback-type" type="radio" value="maybe" />
<label class="ds_radio__label" for="useful-maybe">Maybe</label>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
</form>About this component
Radio buttons are a form component that allows users to select a single item from a list of options.
Why we use this component
We use this component when we want users to be able to only pick one option from a list.
If there are lots of options, you should think about whether a select component would work better.
If users need to be able to pick more than one option from a list, use the checkboxes component instead.
Other versions of this component
Radio buttons with hint text
Hint text can be added to radio buttons. You can use hint text for more details about a radio button. You should avoid adding hint text to the radio button’s label element.
Sample HTML
<form>
<fieldset>
<legend>How will the payments be paid in?</legend>
<div class="ds_field-group">
<div class="ds_radio">
<input class="ds_radio__input" id="payment-advance" name="payment-type" type="radio" value="advance" />
<label class="ds_radio__label" for="payment-advance">Advance</label>
<p class="ds_hint-text">This means you're paid for the period coming up, i.e. the month ahead</p>
</div>
<div class="ds_radio">
<input class="ds_radio__input" id="payment-arrears" name="payment-type" type="radio" value="arrears" />
<label class="ds_radio__label" for="payment-arrears">Arrears</label>
<p class="ds_hint-text">This means you're paid for the time that's just passed, i.e. for the last month</p>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
</form>Small radio buttons
Although small radio buttons appear smaller, their clickable area remains the same as normal radio buttons. This makes them easier for users to select.
Sample HTML
<form>
<fieldset>
<legend>Is a letting agency managing the property?</legend>
<div class="ds_field-group">
<div class="ds_radio ds_radio--small">
<input class="ds_radio__input" id="letting-agent-yes" name="letting-agent" type="radio" value="yes" />
<label class="ds_radio__label" for="letting-agent-yes">Yes</label>
</div>
<div class="ds_radio ds_radio--small">
<input class="ds_radio__input" id="letting-agent-no" name="letting-agent" type="radio" value="no" />
<label class="ds_radio__label" for="letting-agent-no">No</label>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
</form>Error messages
The error state for radio buttons marks the entire fieldset.
Sample HTML
<form>
<div class="ds_question ds_question--error" id="error-id-one">
<fieldset aria-invalid="true">
<legend>Did this resolve your issue?</legend>
<p class="ds_hint-text">Hint text</p>
<p class="ds_question__error-message">This field is required</p>
<div class="ds_field-group">
<div class="ds_radio">
<input class="ds_radio__input" id="resolve-yes" name="resolve" type="radio" value="yes" />
<label class="ds_radio__label" for="resolve-yes">Yes</label>
</div>
<div class="ds_radio">
<input class="ds_radio__input" id="resolve-no" name="resolve" type="radio" value="no" />
<label class="ds_radio__label" for="resolve-no">No</label>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
</div>
</form>Revealing additional questions
If there are additional questions that apply to a particular radio option, they can be made to display only when that option is chosen.
This will:
- make the related questions easier to answer by grouping them together
- make the form simpler for users who do not need to complete the related questions
Sample HTML
<form>
<div class="ds_question">
<fieldset id="landlord-improvements-query">
<legend>Has the landlord improved the property since you moved in?</legend>
<div class="ds_field-group">
<div class="ds_radio">
<input checked="" id="landlord-improvements-yes" value="yes" name="landlord-improvements-query" class="ds_radio__input" type="radio" />
<label for="landlord-improvements-yes" class="ds_radio__label">Yes</label>
<div class="ds_reveal-content">
<div class="ds_question">
<label class="ds_label" for="landlord-improvements-details">What work has your landlord done to improve the property?</label>
<textarea id="landlord-improvements-details" class="ds_input" rows="4" data-validation="requiredField" aria-required="true"></textarea>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="ds_radio">
<input id="landlord-improvements-no" value="no" name="landlord-improvements-query" class="ds_radio__input" type="radio" />
<label for="landlord-improvements-no" class="ds_radio__label">No</label>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
</div>
</form>Inline radio buttons
In some cases you can display radio buttons beside one another.
Only use inline radio buttons when:
- the question only has two options
- the text for both options is short
If you are using an inline display for a yes/no choice, make ‘Yes’ the first option.
Inline radio buttons have some limitations. You cannot use ‘hint text’ with inline radio buttons, and they cannot be used to reveal additional questions or content.
Sample HTML
<form>
<fieldset>
<legend>Is a letting agency managing the property?</legend>
<div class="ds_field-group ds_field-group--inline">
<div class="ds_radio">
<input class="ds_radio__input" id="letting-agent-yes" name="letting-agent" type="radio" value="yes" />
<label class="ds_radio__label" for="letting-agent-yes">Yes</label>
</div>
<div class="ds_radio">
<input class="ds_radio__input" id="letting-agent-no" name="letting-agent" type="radio" value="no" />
<label class="ds_radio__label" for="letting-agent-no">No</label>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
</form>Website analytics
Radio buttons can be tracked through the original page path and a data attribute showing the question type and value selected.
The data attribute is added automatically by the Design System’s “tracking” script.
Accessibility
We use a custom style for radio buttons so that they’re larger and easier to use than the standard radio buttons defined by the user’s browser. We also use a custom style to make their focussed and selected states clearer.
Feedback, help or support
If you need any help or want to give any feedback you can e-mail us at: designsystem@gov.scot