Choosing the Right Control
| Need | Control | Why |
|---|---|---|
| On/off, immediate effect | Toggle switch | Visual, instant feedback |
| On/off, needs save | Checkbox | Part of a form, explicit submission |
| One from few options | Radio group | All options visible |
| One from many options | Dropdown | Space-efficient |
| Multiple from few | Checkbox group | All options visible |
| Multiple from many | Multi-select dropdown | Space-efficient |
Toggle Switch Rules
- Takes effect immediately. No save button needed.
- Label describes the ON state. "Enable notifications" (not "Disable notifications").
- Show current state clearly. Color change + position + optional ON/OFF text.
- Minimum size: 48px wide, 24px tall (larger on mobile).
Checkbox Rules
- Use when selection is not immediately applied.
- Indeterminate state for parent checkboxes with mixed children.
- Group related checkboxes. Max 7 before switching to multi-select.
Radio Rules
- Always show all options. If too many, use dropdown.
- One option pre-selected (don't leave all unselected).
- Vertical layout preferred. Horizontal only for 2-3 short options.