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An official website of the United States government

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An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Theme:

Design system switcher

Version:

Design system switcher

Theme:

Design system switcher

Version:

Design system switcher

Tabs

Tabs are a secondary navigation pattern, allowing a user to view only the content they're interested in. They build upon a real world metaphor, and the selected state simulates a folder being physically in front of others in the group.

Examples

Loading

Code

React

See Storybook "Tabs" page for React documentation.

Style customization

The following CSS variables can be overridden to customize Tab components:

CSS variables for tabs
VariableDefault Core Theme Value
--tabs__border-colorhex value: #d9d9d9--color-border
--tabs__background-colorhex value: #ffffff--color-background
--tabs__background-color--selectedhex value: #ffffff--color-background
--tabs__background-color--hoverhex value: #ffffff--color-background
--tabs__background-color--disabledhex value: #d9d9d9--color-gray-lighter
--tabs__border-color--selectedhex value: #0071bc--color-primary
--tabs__border-color--disabledhex value: #d9d9d9--color-gray-lighter
--tabs__colorhex value: #262626--color-base
--tabs__color--hoverhex value: #0071bc--color-primary
--tabs__color--selectedhex value: #0071bc--color-primary
--tabs-panel__background-colorhex value: #ffffff--color-background
--tabs__color--activehex value: #004f84--color-primary-darker
--tabs__color--disabledhex value: #404040--color-gray-darker

Guidance

When to use

  • If you have sub-sections of a page, and there's the need to only show one sub-section at a time.

When to consider alternatives

  • If you have more than four tabs. Consider using a different pattern if your content requires being split into more than four panels.
  • If the panel contents can be displayed at once. This will improve the scanability of your page's content and it's more likely the user will be able to find what they're looking for. Typography, including clear section headers, should be enough to allow the user to navigate the page.

Usage

  • Avoid overflowing tabs to new lines. If the tabs can't fit on one row on small screens, consider using utility classes to apply additional responsive styles or use a different pattern.
  • Tab labels should be descriptive of their content and set the user's expectations.
  • Tab labels should be short — aim for no more than two words.

Accessibility

  • Use an anchor link (a) to create the tabs. This allows you to link directly to a tab, and allows you to progressively enhance the page, retaining default browser behavior like opening links in a new window. Note: You'll need to implement the logic for selecting the correct tab based on the current URL.
  • Ensure the HTML markup includes the proper ARIA attributes:
    • For tabs: role, aria-selected, aria-controls
    • For the tabs list parent: role, aria-label
    • For a tab panel: role, aria-labelledby

Learn more

Component maturity

For more information about how we tested and validated our work for each checklist item, read our component maturity documentation.

Accessibility

  • Color

    Meets AA color contrast standards for accessibility and color blindness.
    Complete
  • Forced Colors Mode (FCM)

    While using FCM the components text is legible and improves readability.
    Complete
  • WCAG 2.1 Level AA Conformance

    All Axe checks for WCAG AA compliance have passed.
    Complete
  • Screen readers

    VoiceOver, NVDA, and JAWS screen readers provide concise communication and interaction.
    Complete
  • Keyboard navigation

    Component is fully navigable with a keyboard.
    Complete

Code

  • Storybook

    Component has stories to cover all defined props.
    Complete
  • Responsive

    Component designed to work in all responsive breakpoints.
    Incomplete
  • Spanish translations

    Includes Spanish translations for default text content.
    Not applicable

Tokens

  • Code

    Tokens implemented in code.
    Complete
  • Design

    Tokens implemented in the Sketch.
    Complete