spec checked

WAI-ARIA APG Tooltip Pattern

Defines tooltips as focus or hover-triggered information popups, with focus remaining on the trigger, Escape dismissal, blur dismissal, pointer-out dismissal, and open-while-hovering behavior.

Open source

Pattern Decisions This Source Supports

Pattern Supported decision Required contract Claim note
Tooltip Choose tooltip when the target already has a usable name and needs only a short supplemental description on focus or hover. The owning element keeps focus while the tooltip is visible. Supports focus and hover triggering, focus staying on the trigger, and Escape dismissal behavior.
Tooltip-only required information Flag this anti-pattern when the tooltip content is necessary to complete the task correctly or avoid a harmful outcome. Users can complete the task without reading a tooltip. Supports the tooltip interaction contract where focus remains on the trigger and the popup is dismissed by Escape, blur, or pointer out.

Evidence Role

This source is treated as spec evidence. Use it to validate the decision rules above, not as a visual style reference.

Publisher: W3C WAI. Last checked: .