Dropdown

An interactive element that reveals a list of options when clicked, saving space while providing multiple choices. Dropdowns work best with 5-15 options—fewer suggests radio buttons, more suggests search or typeahead. Ensure dropdown menus are keyboard accessible and work well on touch devices.

Related terms

Related terms

  • Form

    Components

    An interactive element that collects user input through fields like text boxes, dropdowns, and checkboxes. Well-designed forms balance collecting necessary information with respecting user time and effort. Keep forms short, use clear labels, provide helpful validation messages, and consider progressive disclosure for complex forms.

  • Tab

    Components

    An interactive element allowing users to switch between content panels without leaving the page, saving space and organizing related content. Tabs work best for equally important parallel content, not sequential steps. Ensure tab interfaces are keyboard accessible with proper ARIA roles.

  • Dropdown Menu

    Components

    A navigation pattern where hovering or clicking reveals a submenu of additional links or options. Dropdown menus organize complex navigation hierarchies while keeping the main navigation clean. Test timing and hover zones carefully—frustrating dropdowns that close unexpectedly harm user experience. See Make Responsive Dropdown Menus From Scratch.

  • Lightbox

    Components

    An overlay that displays enlarged images or media while dimming the background, focusing attention on the content. Lightboxes are ideal for galleries and detailed image viewing without leaving the page. Ensure lightboxes are keyboard accessible with clear close mechanisms.

  • Mega Menu

    Components

    An expanded dropdown navigation revealing multiple categories, links, and sometimes images in a large panel. Mega menus work well for sites with extensive content hierarchies like e-commerce or documentation. Design mega menus carefully to avoid overwhelming users with too many options.

  • Overlays

    Interaction

    Framer overlays let designers build interactive layers that appear above or beside content, such as navigation drawers, tooltips, signup modals, and dropdown menus.