hoofdmenu

Hoofdmenu, letterlijk main menu, is the primary navigation element in a user interface that provides access to the main sections and features of a product, such as a website, application, or device. It is designed to help users understand the structure of the product and move quickly between its major areas.

Typically, the hoofdmenu appears as a horizontal row at the top of the interface or as a vertical side panel. It lists top‑level items, each of which may reveal submenus or flyouts containing secondary options. Good practice for a hoofdmenu is to use clear labels, sensible grouping of related items, and a concise set of primary categories to minimize cognitive load.

In terms of responsive design, the hoofdmenu often adapts to different screen sizes. On larger screens it may show all primary items, while on smaller screens it is commonly collapsed behind a hamburger button or replaced by a bottom navigation, depending on the context and design goals. Submenus may become accordion panels or nested dropdowns in desktop layouts and reduce to simple tappable items on mobile.

Accessibility is a key consideration for a hoofdmenu. It should be navigable with a keyboard, provide visible focus indicators, and have a logical structure and tab order. Developers commonly use semantic elements such as a navigation region and, where appropriate, ARIA roles to communicate the menu’s purpose to assistive technologies.

Variants of hoofdmenu include horizontal top navigation, vertical sidebars, mega menus for large sites, and contextual or integrated menus within applications.