---
url: /components/checkbox/guidelines.md
description: >-
Checkboxes allow users to select one or more items from a set. Checkboxes can
turn an option on or off.
---
# Checkbox
Checkboxes allow users to select one or more items from a set. Checkboxes can turn an option on or off.
[Overview](overview.md) · [Specs](specs.md) · **Guidelines** · [Accessibility](accessibility.md)
Checkboxes in a list of items
## Usage
Use checkboxes to:
* Select one or more options from a list
* Present a list containing sub-selections
* Turn an item on or off in a desktop environment
* Visually group similar options together
Checkboxes select multiple, related options
Checkboxes should be used instead of [switches](../switch/overview.md "Switches toggle the state of an item on or off.") if multiple, related options can be selected from a list. Checkboxes visually group similar items effectively and take up less space than switches.
::: tip Do
Checkboxes let users select one or more options from a list. A parent checkbox allows for easy selection or deselection of all items.
:::
::: danger Don't
If a list consists of multiple options, don't use switches. Instead, use checkboxes. Checkboxes imply the items are related, and take up less visual space.
:::
### Alternate selection controls
Checkboxes, [radio buttons](../radio-button/overview.md "Radio buttons let people select one option from a set of options."), and [switches](../switch/overview.md "Switches toggle the state of an item on or off.") are the three main selection controls. They all help people make choices, like selecting options or switching settings on or off.
* Use checkboxes to select multiple related options in a list.
* Use radio buttons to select a single option in a list.
* Use switches to select standalone or more verbose options in a list, like settings.
Radio buttons
Switches
## Anatomy
1\. Container
2\. Icon
## Responsive layout
In [expanded breakpoints](../../foundations/layout/breakpoints/expanded.md "Window widths 840dp to 1199dp, such as a tablet or foldable in landscape orientation, or desktop."), placing checkboxes within a contained region such as a [side sheet](../side-sheets/overview.md "Side sheets show secondary content anchored to the side of the screen.") can help group related controls and available actions.
A side sheet can group related controls on larger screens
## Behavior
Multiple checkboxes in a list can be selected.
Selecting multiple items in a list using checkboxes
Checkboxes can have a parent-child relationship with other checkboxes.
* When the parent checkbox is checked, all child checkboxes are checked
* If a parent checkbox is unchecked, all child checkboxes are unchecked
* If some, but not all, child checkboxes are checked, the parent checkbox becomes an indeterminate checkbox. Checking an indeterminate checkbox checks all child items.
Use a parent checkbox to make it more efficient to select many items
When selected, a checkbox clearly and instantly communicates its selected state.
If used to turn something on or off, the action should be immediately executed.
Turning an item on or off using a checkbox