Writing & StyleStyle guide

Writing Accessible Radio-Group Labels

Writing Accessible Radio-Group Labels records a distinct W3C-supported interface-content task while keeping implementation mechanics outside the writing guidance.

Quick answer

Label a radio group with the shared question or category that gives its individual choices context.

Key details

Core IssueW3C APG requires the radiogroup itself to have a visible referenced label or an aria-label, in addition to the labels on the individual radio buttons.
Registerweb accessibility and interface content

Important caveats

Scope Boundary

This page covers wording for the radiogroup name; individual radio labels, keyboard interaction, and checked-state implementation are separate concerns.

Further guidance

Content

Write the group label as the question, category, or decision that all of the radio choices answer, then keep each radio label focused on its individual option.

Purpose

A meaningful group label supplies shared context so users can understand what the mutually exclusive choices are selecting.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. Radio Group Pattern — WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices Guide (opens in a new tab)World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) · W3C APG guidance for accessible names of radio buttons and the radio group that gives the choices shared context.

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