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Select list

v4.0

Select list is a web-only, form-based component that discloses a simple list of actions or options using the browser’s native <select> element.

  • CSS
  • Marko
  • React
Stylized artwork of a select list.
Select listv4.0

On this page

  • Anatomy
  • Properties
  • Behavior
  • Screen sizes
  • Best practices
  • Specs

Anatomy

Properties

Behavior

Screen sizes

Best practices

Specs

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    1. Label
    2. Value
    3. Disclosure indicator
    4. Container

    Label

    Required. The label names the category of options in the list.

    • Use sentence case
    • No ending punctuation
    • Use a noun or noun phrase
    • Aim for 1–3 words

    Values

    The value is the option the user selects. Each option should be short, distinct, and parallel.

    • Use sentence case, except for proper nouns or branded terms
    • No ending punctuation
    • Use numerals for numbers

    Default value

    The default value is what the select list shows before user makes a selection. It can be empty or set to a pre-selected value.

    Empty value (default)

    • If the field is required, users must make a selection before submitting

    Pre-selected value

    • Use if there’s a strong, context-appropriate default value, such as the most common or expected choice
    • The pre-selected value will be submitted if the user never interacts with the field
    • The pre-selected value may or may not be listed first

    Label position

    The label can be positioned above or beside the field.

    Related fields in the same form or group should use the same label position. Consistent label placement helps users scan and compare fields quickly.

    Label visibility

    The label can be visible or hidden.

    A visible label is strongly recommended to maintain accessibility and usability. However, if content elsewhere on the page is sufficiently acting as a label, like a section header or title element, the visual label can be hidden.

    Style

    There are two styles available for select lists, bordered and Borderless.

    Bordered
    : has a visible container with a stroke for increased prominence.

    Borderless
    : has no visible container for lower prominence.

    Size

    Select lists are available in a large and small size.

    Browser styling

    The list style is determined by the browser and platform.

    Small

    Select works the same across all screen sizes. The list menu style is determined by the device’s browser and operating system.

    Medium and large

    Select works the same across all screen sizes. The list menu style is determined by the device’s browser and operating system. Larger screens will try opening the list with the selected value aligned with the field’s value.

    Simple

    Do use a select list when the list values are simple and short.

    Don’t use a select list if the list values need to use subtext or grouping. Use a Dropdown instead.

    Filtering

    Do use a select list when the list is small and simple.

    Don’t use a select list for extra large lists that could benefit from filtering. Use a Combobox instead.

    List size

    Do use a select list for lists larger than 3 items.

    Don’t use a select list for 3 or fewer items. Use a Radio button group instead.

    Groups

    Do use the same selection style within groups. If some selections require the additional functionality of a Dropdown, use a Dropdown for all items in the group.

    Don’t mix selection styles in the same group.

    Usage

    Do use select lists within forms.

    Don’t use select lists outside of a form as it is a traditionally form-based element.

    Select list diagram with 4 elements numbered: 1. Label, 2. Value, 3. Disclosure indicator, 4. Container.
    A select list with a ‘Date range’ label.
    A select list with a ‘schedule’ label. A dropdown menu displays ‘daily’, ‘weekly’, and ‘monthly’.
    Two select lists. One showing an empty value and one showing a pre-selected value.
    Two select lists. One showing a label position above and one showing a label position beside the field.
    A select list with a ‘Date range’ section title.
    Two select lists. A select list in a container is sitting to the left of a borderless select list.
    Two select lists. A select list in a container is sitting to the left of a borderless select list.
    Three select lists. Select lists on Safari on Mac showcase a dropdown that hovers over the select list container, with a checkmark value for the option selected. A select list on Safari on iOS showcases a dropdown that sits below the select list container, with a checkmark value for the option selected. A select list on Chrome on Android showcases a dropdown that sits below the select list container, with a radio button assigned for each option.
    A Color select list with 5 option values on the eBay mobile app.
    A Color select list with 5 option values on the eBay desktop site.
    A Device type select list with 5 option values: Phone, Tablet, Laptop, Desktop, and TV.
    A Device select list with 5 option values expanding beyond the right edge of this image.
    A Color type select list with 6 option values: Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Black, and White.
    An Item type select list with option values expanding beyond the bottom edge of this image.
    An Operating system select list with 5 option values: Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows, Linux.
    A Preferred contact method select list with 2 option values: Phone, and Email.
    Two select lists with the same styling sitting side by side.
    Two select lists with different styling sitting side by side.
    A Color select list sits in a form layout with 3 other containers and a CTA button.
    A select list sits at the bottom of a footer on the eBay website.
    A select list with a container and a borderless select list is shown with specs highlighted. Specs for select list with container: The space between the label and container is 4px, the height of the container is 48px, the padding to the left and right of content inside of the container is 16px, and the padding between the value and the disclosure indicator is 8px.  Specs for borderless select list: Padding between the label and value is 16px, and the padding between the value and disclosure indicator is 8px.