pattern-library checked
U.S. Web Design System Alert Component
Documents alert use for system status, validation messages, next steps, dismissibility, context relevance, and ARIA role choice by urgency.
Pattern Decisions This Source Supports
| Pattern | Supported decision | Required contract | Claim note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alert | Choose alert when a time-sensitive warning, error, or important status change must be noticed immediately without moving focus. | The alert appears close to the task area whose outcome it affects and before the controls users need next. | USWDS describes alerts for system status and validation messages, with guidance for next steps, dismissibility, context, and ARIA role selection. |
| Site alert | Choose site alert when urgent sitewide information must appear by default on every affected page near the top of the site. | The site alert appears before ordinary page content and is reachable from any affected route, not just the home page. | USWDS alert guidance supports separating page-level task alerts and validation messages from sitewide alert announcements. |
| Warning text | Choose warning text when one severe consequence needs to be noticed before the user acts or fails to act. | The warning appears in the reading order before the action or answer it qualifies. | USWDS alert guidance helps distinguish status and validation containers from a concise severe-consequence warning. |
Evidence Role
This source is treated as pattern-library evidence. Use it to validate the decision rules above, not as a visual style reference.
Publisher: U.S. Web Design System. Last checked: .