pattern-library checked
USWDS Header component
Documents site header variants that include primary navigation, including basic, megamenu, and extended header structures.
Pattern Decisions This Source Supports
| Pattern | Supported decision | Required contract | Claim note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global navigation | Choose global navigation when users need repeated access to a small set of top-level product or service sections. | Activating a global navigation item changes to the named top-level section and updates current-state semantics. | USWDS header guidance supports primary navigation in a site header with simple, megamenu, and extended variants. |
| Mega menu | Choose a mega menu when a top-level section has a deep hierarchy or more links than a basic dropdown can comfortably present. | Activating a mega-menu trigger opens the panel and updates aria-expanded on that trigger. | USWDS documents basic and extended header megamenu variants for deep hierarchy and recommends basic dropdowns when there is not enough content. |
| Utility navigation | Choose utility navigation for controls whose primary job is session management, account access, support, search entry, notifications, language, product switching, or global tools. | Activating a utility button opens the corresponding panel, menu, tray, or inline search surface without changing the current primary destination. | USWDS header guidance supports separating search, labelled primary navigation, keyboard behavior, and current section state. |
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: .