Buttons
A button refers to a box area or text that can be clicked or tapped.
Usage
Buttons can be used to communicate and immediately trigger actions a user can take in an application, like submitting a form, cancelling a process, or creating a new object. Buttons can also be used to take a user to a new location, like another page inside of a web application, or an external site such as help or documentation.
Button types
The following button styles, shown in order of visual hierarchy, can be used in your designs according to your needs.
You don't need to use these buttons in the order that their labels imply. For example, you don't always need to use the secondary button as the second button in your designs. The most important thing is to establish a visual hierarchy between any buttons in your designs. There are, however, some best practices to keep in mind.
Danger button
Danger buttons are the most prominent of all the button options. Use danger buttons for actions a user can take that are potentially destructive or difficult/impossible to undo, like deleting or removing user data. These are mostly found in modals to emphasize a destructive action the user is about to take.
Example of a danger button in a modal
Primary button
A primary button is the most prominent button on a page, used for the most important call to action on a page. Try to limit primary buttons to one per page.
Example of a primary button inside a toolbar
Example of a primary button inside an empty state
Secondary button
Secondary buttons are buttons with less visual prominence than primary buttons. Use secondary buttons for general actions on a page, that don’t require as much emphasis as primary button actions. For example, you can use secondary buttons where there are multiple actions, like in toolbars or data lists.
Example of secondary buttons in data lists
Tertiary button
Tertiary buttons are one the least visually prominent buttons and are designed to be less striking than a primary or secondary button, while still retaining a classic button format. Tertiary buttons are flexible and can be used as needed.
In this example, you can see a tertiary button used to show a possible “Edit” action. This button format highlights the action, while making it clear that it is not the main call to action on the page.
Example of tertiary button on a page
Link button
Links buttons are labeled buttons with no background or border. Link buttons can be used for actions that:
- May not need as much emphasis.
- Navigate users to another page within the same window.
- Navigate users to an external page.
While all link buttons lack borders, they can still vary in appearance. Link buttons that navigate users to another page within the same window should be presented as stand-alone text. Link buttons that navigate users to an external page may include an icon on the left or right of the text to further emphasize the action. For example, you could add an external link icon to show that clicking on it will navigate users externally to another website or application.
You might use a link button instead of a secondary button format to create greater visual hierarchy between two buttons. Examples include using text buttons as cancel buttons in modals or wizards, as well as for secondary actions in empty states.
Example of a link button in a modal
Example of link buttons in an empty state
Icon button
Icon buttons are useful in places where space is limited. For example, if you have too many actions within a menu, you could use a kebab icon to indicate more actions, or an export icon for exporting data. You can also use this button type for actions that are commonly associated with icons, like an exit icon to close a window or a hamburger icon to open a menu.
For example, this toolbar uses an export icon as an action button due to limited space.
Usage guidelines
There are certain cases where specific buttons must be used within your UI.
Follow these guidelines for buttons in wizards:
- The Next button should always be a primary button.
- The Back button should always be a secondary button.
- The Cancel button should always be a text button.
Always use link buttons in the following cases:
For cancel buttons in wizards or modals
For more actions in empty states
For action buttons in tables
For action buttons in alerts
Button placement
Buttons in forms, modals, or wizards should always be left aligned in the box. This solves for:
- Modularity and flexibility: A standard alignment creates consistency in how objects appear across all areas of an app.
- Accessibility: The form submit buttons are on the same scan line as the form fields, which benefits users who are sight-limited. Also, users who are blind can more easily navigate left-aligned form submit buttons because the button order is consistent across all contexts.
- Responsiveness: The most important actions (i.e., primary buttons) are encountered first when elements are stacked vertically.
Button spacing and action lists
The standard spacing between each button is 16px, even for danger buttons. If buttons are stacked vertically, the spacing between each button should be 8px.
Standard spacing
Stacked spacing
Currently, the only exception to this is in wizards, where the Cancel button is spaced 48px away from the primary and secondary Next and Back buttons, and 24px away if stacked.
Wizard spacing
Wizard stacked spacing
If you have a specific use case where buttons need to be spaced further away from the rest, the button groups action list allows for customization as needed.
Action group spacing
Buttons and overflow menus
There are cases where you will have multiple buttons next to each other, like in a toolbar. When the space shrinks (e.g., switching from desktop to mobile view), you can have the buttons collapse into a kebab overflow menu. Additionally, you can choose to make the primary action persist or have all options collapse into the kebab.
Buttons appear in the toolbar
Buttons placed in overflow menu due to limited space, with primary button persisting
Content
Writing button labels
- Button labels should be specific and clearly communicate their associated action.
- Always use verbs or verb phrases.
- To avoid wrapping, aim for short labels when possible (1–3 words)
- Avoid the use of articles (e.g., write “Add source” instead of “Add a source”)
- Avoid long button labels that might risk wrapping.
Writing link labels
Use specific, action-focused labels that match what the user will see when they arrive at their location. For example, if you are sending a user to a dashboard, your link label might read View dashboard. For a link directing a user to a support forum, the label might read Get help in the support forum. See PatternFly's content guidelines for additional guidance.
Related components and demos
HTML/CSS
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