- When not to use a drop-down?
- When should you use a dropdown?
- How many items should be in a drop-down?
- Do dropdowns need labels?
When not to use a drop-down?
In General, Avoid Drop-Downs When There Are More Than 10 or Fewer Than 5 Options. Drop-downs quickly become difficult for users when they are presented with an overwhelming number of options to choose from. Take, for instance, a commonly included input in checkout forms, the “Country Selection” drop-down.
When should you use a dropdown?
The use case for drop-down menus
They also help conserve screen space. Offering drop-down menus can help users avoid scrolling and can quickly get them access to your site's content. For large websites, drop-down menus can save users time by allowing them to jump down a level or two to get to the content they seek.
How many items should be in a drop-down?
Choosing Between a Listbox and a Dropdown List. Compared to using standalone checkboxes or radio buttons, it's better to use a listbox or dropdown list when there are 5 or more items from which users can choose.
Do dropdowns need labels?
Like other form inputs, a select menu should always have a label next to it (W3C standard). You should also have a clear and meaningful label (not generic ones like “None” or “Please select”) inside the select menu that tells users what exactly they're selecting.