Tooltip
A tooltip is a brief, contextual hint displayed when a user hovers over, focuses on, or taps a target element (usually an icon, link, or button). Tooltips typically appear in a small overlay box and provide additional information or clarification about the element in focus. They are meant to be concise, supplementary, and non-intrusive, aiding users by clarifying functionality, labeling icons, or explaining unusual terminology.
Usage
Additional Context: Tooltips should clarify or expand upon the label or icon without cluttering the UI.
Subtle Guidance: They appear on demand (hover/focus/touch) and vanish when the user moves away, offering information precisely when needed.
Icon/Label Explanation: Ideal for small icons or abbreviations that might confuse users if left unexplained.
Use cases
Explaining an unfamiliar acronym on hover
Labeling an icon button with its function (e.g., “Download,” “Refresh”)
Providing a short note when a user focuses on a form field label
Not to be confused with
Popover: A popover is generally larger and may include interactive elements or more extensive text. A tooltip is smaller and purely informational.
Modal: A modal demands the user’s full attention and blocks background interaction, while a tooltip is transient and non-blocking.
Toast: Toasts appear to convey system messages or alerts, often without direct user interaction (e.g., success or error). A tooltip strictly appears upon user focus or hover.
Best practices
Concise & Clear
Use brief text that immediately conveys the necessary information.
Avoid lengthy paragraphs that become unwieldy in a small tooltip bubble.
Trigger & Timing
Show the tooltip on hover or focus, and consider slight delays to prevent flickering if the user quickly moves the pointer away.
On mobile or touch devices, ensure the tooltip triggers on tap and can be easily dismissed.
Positioning & Visibility
The tooltip should be visible and not cut off by the screen edges.
It’s often placed above or below the target element, but adapt as needed based on available space.
Accessibility
For screen readers, ensure the tooltip’s content is tied to the target element (e.g., aria-describedby).
Provide keyboard navigation so users can focus on the element to trigger and read the tooltip text.
Avoid Overuse
Too many tooltips can clutter the UI and overwhelm users.
Reserve them for elements genuinely requiring clarification; consider inline labels or descriptive text in other cases.
Style Consistency
Keep tooltip text short; if more detail is required, consider a modal or popover.
Summary
A tooltip offers a quick, minimal way to provide contextual help or clarification without crowding the interface. By pairing concise text with intuitive triggers, ensuring proper accessibility support, and positioning the tooltip so it remains visible and clear, tooltips can seamlessly enhance user understanding. Used sparingly and thoughtfully, they add just-in-time assistance, encouraging smoother navigation and greater user confidence in complex or icon-driven UIs.
