GOV.UK Design System Radios component
Documents radio groups for one option from a list, fieldset and legend grouping, no careless pre-selection, optional hints, and validation errors for the group.
What this source can teach
Use this source to compare a documented solution with the task and states in your own product.
- Start with the original. Open the source and find the guidance or example relevant to your task.
- Trace the connection. Use the claim notes below to see how this site applies the source to specific patterns.
- Check the setting. Compare the source's platform, people, and constraints with your own decision.
Pattern Decisions This Source Supports
| Pattern | Supported decision | Required contract | Claim note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional reveal fields | Choose conditional reveal fields when one option needs a short, directly related follow-up field in the same local context. | Selecting the trigger shows the related field immediately under that trigger. | GOV.UK radio guidance anchors single-choice trigger behavior for conditional follow-up fields. |
| Dependent fields | Choose dependent fields when one answer controls another field's valid choices, requirement, editability, helper text, or validation. | Users encounter the controlling field before the dependent field in reading and tab order. | GOV.UK conditional radio guidance anchors the distinction between simple conditional reveal and dependent option/value management. |
| Radio group | Choose radio groups when the user must choose one option from a short visible set. | Only one option in the named group can be selected at a time. | GOV.UK radios guidance supports one option from a list, fieldset/legend grouping, no careless preselection, and group-level errors. |
Comparisons supported by this source
- Conditional reveal fields vs dependent fields vs radio group vs single-question page
GOV.UK radio guidance anchors the triggering-control side of conditional reveal behavior for single-choice answers.
- Dependent fields vs select vs inline validation vs complete complex form
GOV.UK radio guidance provides the boundary for simple conditional reveal, which is different from option filtering and stale dependent-value management.
- Radio group vs select
GOV.UK radios guidance documents visible one-of-many choices, fieldset/legend grouping, and no careless pre-selection.
- Toggle switch vs checkbox group vs radio group vs segmented control
GOV.UK radio guidance is the contrast source for one visible choice from a list, group labels, errors, and cautious defaults.
Evidence Role
This source is treated as pattern-library evidence. Its value comes from the specific claims and setting described above.
Publisher: Government Digital Service. Last checked: .