Checkboxen

Checkboxen are a graphical user interface element that presents a small square box which can be toggled between a checked and an unchecked state to represent a binary choice. They are commonly used in forms to indicate agreement, option selection, or enabling features. In some interfaces a third state, indeterminate, signals a mixed or partially selected group. The term Checkboxen reflects the German plural of checkbox.

Behavior and states: A checkbox can be checked, unchecked, or, in some systems, set to an indeterminate state. When a control is focused, pressing the Space key toggles the state. In a group of checkboxes, each item can be chosen independently; the indeterminate state is typically used for containers with multiple items to indicate a mixed selection and does not usually represent a separate form value.

Accessibility: Each checkbox should be paired with a text label, and native controls are keyboard accessible by default. Screen readers announce the label and the current state. When creating custom controls, use ARIA roles and properties (for example, role="checkbox" and aria-checked) or prefer native input elements to ensure compatibility. For groups, use semantic grouping such as fieldset and legend or clear ARIA labeling.

Design and usage guidelines: Checkboxes convey optional, non-exclusive choices and are distinct from toggle switches. They should have clear labels, sufficient contrast, and a visible focus indicator. In forms, a single checkbox contributes a boolean value; a set of checkboxes yields multiple values upon submission.

Implementation notes: In HTML, a checkbox is an input element with type="checkbox" and is commonly paired with a label. Some environments support an indeterminate state via scripting to reflect mixed selections in a list; native checkboxes do not submit an indeterminate value.