Badges notify the user of a status, for example that there are new or unread messages or notifications. They typically describe or relate to another element on the page. Badges scale so that their height matches the font-size of their immediate parent element by using relative font sizing and em units.
- In proximity to notifications or user avatars with eye-catching appeal (e.g. displaying unread messages count).
- Use for displaying quick, easily digestible bits of information.
Don’t use when
There are three types of badges: default, text, and counter badges. They are available in three sizes: small, default, and large.
Used when more emphasis is needed. Default badges can look like Buttons. Avoid using button colors to make sure the user can tell the difference.
Used to display a more subtle label. Text badges can look like text Buttons. Avoid using text button colors to make sure the user can tell the difference. Do not use a text badge for warning (yellow): it does not meet the required contrast ratios for accessibility.
Used to display up to 3 characters (usually a number in a counter). Counter badges can look like Chips, when too many characters are used. Use a maximum of 3 characters or numbers.
Badges can be inserted into other elements.
- List with Badge 14
- List with Text Badge 14
- Badges come in 3 defined heights:
- Small: 14px
- Default: 20px
- Large: 28px
- Badges should be centered vertically inside of their containing element.
|Small||Badge||14px||Inside lists or other elements|
|Default||Badge||20px||Stand-alone or inside lists|
|Large||Badge||28px||Stand-alone for emphasis|
- Badges may be confusing for users of screen readers and similar assistive technologies. While the styling of badges provides a visual cue as to their purpose, these users will simply be presented with the content of the badge. Ensure that information denoted by the color is either obvious from the content itself (e.g. the visible text), or is included through alternative means, such as additional hidden text.
- When displaying a badge on any color other than white, make sure it meets required contrast ratios.
|11/23/2020||1.0.0||Warning badge text color changed to be accessible. Warning text badge removed.||E. Bohn, L. Kause, N. Springer|