---
url: /components/loading-indicator/accessibility.md
description: Loading indicators show the progress of a process for a short wait time
---
# Loading indicator
Loading indicators show the progress of a process for a short wait time
[Overview](overview.md) · [Specs](specs.md) · [Guidelines](guidelines.md) · **Accessibility**
## Use cases
People should be able to do the following with assistive technology:
* Navigate to the loading indicator
* Understand what progress the indicator is communicating
* Initiate a content refresh without relying on a gesture
## Interaction & style
The active indicator, which displays progress, provides visual contrast of at least 3:1 against most container and surface colors.
The indicator itself must have 3:1 contrast with the background, but the container does not.
The loading indicator provides visual contrast of at least 3:1 against most background colors
When integrated into another component, such as a button, make sure that the active indicator provides a visual contrast of at least 3:1 against the other component.
::: tip Do
Ensure at least 3:1 contrast between the indicator and the surface it's on
:::
::: danger Don't
Avoid using when the contrast is under 3:1
:::
Pull-to-refresh interactions can’t be accessible by just swiping. Provide an alternate way to refresh the content with a single pointer, such as placing a refresh button in a menu or directly alongside the content.
The refresh action can be in an app bar
## Labeling elements
Since the loading indicator is a visual cue, it needs an accessibility label to assist people who can't rely on visuals.
It should use the **progress bar** accessibility role. Write a label describing the purpose of the loading indicator, such as **loading news article** or **refreshing page**.
Loading indicator labels should explain which items are loading