Checkbox

The <nys-checkbox> component is a form input for users to select options (zero, one, or multiple) from a collection of choices. It provides users with the ability to toggle a binary state (checked/unchecked). Indeterminate states are not (currently) supported.

Optional: <nys-checkboxgroup> can be used to group multiple checkboxes so they function as a single form control.

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<nys-checkboxgroup label="Select your favorite New York landmarks" description="Last year's winner is not eligible to win again.">
      <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="adirondacks" label="Adirondacks" checked></nys-checkbox>
      <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="finger-lakes" label="Finger Lakes" checked></nys-checkbox>
      <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="catskills" label="Catskills"></nys-checkbox>
      <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="niagara-falls" label="Niagara Falls"></nys-checkbox>
      <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="coney-island" label="Coney Island"></nys-checkbox>
      <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="statue-liberty" label="Statue of Liberty (Last Year's Winner)" description="Disabled as it was the winner of the previous year." disabled></nys-checkbox>
    </nys-checkboxgroup>

Can’t use NYSDS web components in your project? Try using the CSS Variables instead.


Options

Checkbox group

The <nys-checkboxgroup> component can be used to group multiple checkboxes so they function as a single form control. This is useful when you want to allow users to select multiple options from a list.

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<nys-checkboxgroup label="Do you attest to the following:" description="By checking below you agree to our terms">
  <nys-checkbox label="I have read the terms and conditions." id="terms-conditions" name="terms" value="terms-conditions"></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox label="I agree to the NDA" id="legal" name="legal" value="legal"></nys-checkbox>
</nys-checkboxgroup>

Disabled

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<nys-checkbox disabled checked label="I agree to the terms and conditions" description="This option is currently unavailable." name="earlyVoting" value="early-voting"></nys-checkbox>

Size

Set the size property of the <nys-checkboxgroup> to have all <nys-checkbox> be the same size. Our current sizes are:

  • sm : Set to 24px in width and height
  • md : The default size. Set to 32px in width and height.
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<nys-checkboxgroup label="Select your favorite New York landmarks" description="Choose from the options below" size="sm">
  <nys-checkbox label="Adirondacks" name="landmarks" value="adirondacks" checked></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="finger-lakes" label="Finger Lakes" checked></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="catskills" label="Catskills" checked></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="niagara-falls" label="Niagara Falls"></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="coney-island" label="Coney Island"></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox label="Mount Greylock" description="This is disabled because it's not in New York." disabled></nys-checkbox>
</nys-checkboxgroup>

Tile

The tile prop will change the styling of the checkbox to a tile. This is useful when you want a larger clickable area for the user.

  • The tile prop can be applied to the <nys-checkboxgroup> or the <nys-checkbox> component. If applied to the <nys-checkboxgroup>, all checkboxes will be displayed as tiles. If applied to the <nys-checkbox>, only that checkbox will be displayed as a tile.
  • Do not use the tile prop on a checkbox if it is inside a <nys-checkboxgroup>. All checkboxes in a group should be the same size and style.
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<nys-checkboxgroup label="Select your favorite New York landmarks" description="Choose from the options below" tile>
  <nys-checkbox label="Adirondacks" name="landmarks" value="adirondacks" checked></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="finger-lakes" label="Finger Lakes" checked></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="catskills" label="Catskills" checked></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="niagara-falls" label="Niagara Falls"></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="coney-island" label="Coney Island"></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox label="Mount Greylock" description="This is disabled because it's not in New York." disabled></nys-checkbox>
</nys-checkboxgroup>

Required

Set required to make a checkbox or group of checkboxes mandatory. It can be applied to either <nys-checkboxgroup> (no need to add it to individual children) or directly to an individual <nys-checkbox>.

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<nys-checkbox
  label="Subscribe to NYS Government Updates"
  description="Get notified via email about important updates and services."
  id="subscribe-checkbox-disabled-checked"
  name="subscribe"
  value="email-updates"
  required
></nys-checkbox>

Optional

Adding the optional prop will add an optional flag to the input.

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<nys-checkboxgroup label="Select your favorite New York landmarks" description="Choose from the options below" optional>
  <nys-checkbox label="Adirondacks" name="landmarks" value="adirondacks" ></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="finger-lakes" label="Finger Lakes"></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="catskills" label="Catskills"></nys-checkbox>
</nys-checkboxgroup>

Error

Set an error message and choose to activate it. Setting errorMessage does not display the message without boolean prop showError.

Errors can be assigned to both <nys-checkboxgroup> and individual <nys-checkbox> components.

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<nys-checkboxgroup label="Select your favorite New York landmarks" description="Choose from the options below" showError errorMessage="You must select at least one option to continue.">
  <nys-checkbox label="Adirondacks" name="landmarks" value="adirondacks" ></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="finger-lakes" label="Finger Lakes" ></nys-checkbox>
  <nys-checkbox name="landmarks" value="catskills" label="Catskills" ></nys-checkbox>
</nys-checkboxgroup>

Slotted Description

When the description requires more complexity than a simple string, use the description slot to hold the text. This allows the developer to include HTML in the description, such as anchors or bold text.

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<nys-checkbox label="Subscribe to NYS Government Updates" id="subscribe-updates" name="subscribe" value="email-updates">
  <label slot="description">Read about our <a href="https://www.ny.gov/" target="__blank">previous updates</a></label>
</nys-checkbox>

Usage

When to use this component

  • When collecting binary answers in a form.
  • When obtaining confirmation from users.
  • When allowing users to select multiple options from a list.

When to consider something else

  • Use a toggle when changing the state of a binary input immediately changes the system's state; such as enabling Dark Mode.
  • When users need to select only one option consider a radio button (1-6 choices) or select (7 or more choice) instead.

Do

  • Use checkboxes for binary decisions (agree/disagree).
  • Use checkboxes for multi-select lists (like selecting interests).

Don't

  • Avoid using when you have more than 10 options to choose from; instead, consider a multiselect dropdown (coming soon in NYSDS, contact Design System team for guidance).
  • Don’t change the state of one checkbox based on another being clicked.

Accessibility

The <nys-checkbox> component includes the following accessibility-focused features:

  • Proper ARIA roles and attributes to ensure screen readers can interpret the checkbox correctly.
  • Keyboard navigation support, allowing users to toggle the checkbox using the keyboard.
  • Visual focus indicators to help users navigate the component.
  • Include a label property to provide accessible text for screen readers.

Properties

Property Type Component
id String both
name String both
label String both
value String only <nys-checkbox>
checked boolean only <nys-checkbox>
description String both
disabled boolean both
errorMessage String both
optional boolean only <nys-checkboxgroup>
required boolean both
showError boolean both
size "sm" | "md" both
tile boolean both

CSS Variables


Events

The <nys-checkbox> component emits three custom Javascript events:

  1. nys-change – Fired when the checkbox state changes (checked/unchecked).
  2. nys-focus – Fired when the checkbox gains focus.
  3. nys-blur – Fired when the checkbox loses focus.

You can listen to these events using JavaScript:

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// Select the checkbox component
const checkbox = document.querySelector('nys-checkbox');
// Listen for the 'nys-change' event
checkbox.addEventListener('nys-change', (event) => {
  console.log('Checkbox changed:', event.detail.checked);
});

Suggest a New Component

Do you have an idea for a new NYSDS web component? Look through the existing proposals in our GitHub discussions board to see if someone already proposed something similar. If not, feel free to submit one.

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Last updated: August 22, 2025