BETA This playbook is in BETA, we think it’s good enough to be useful right now, but there are gaps that need filling – your feedback will help us to improve it.

When to use this component

A dropdown selector component should only be used as a last resort in public-facing services, because research shows that some users find them very difficult to use, especially those using assistive technology.

When not to use this component

Dropdown selectors allow users to choose an option from a list. Before using the select component, try asking users questions which will allow you to present them with fewer options to keep the list as short as possible.

Asking questions means you’re less likely to need to use the select component, and can consider using a different solution, such as checkboxes or radio buttons.

How it works

Things to remember

It can be helpful to order the options from most-to-least common answers, for example ‘Where do you live’ could be ordered by population size. But, you should be cautious about doing this as it can suggest bias in your service. If in doubt, order alphabetically.

Last reviewed: September 25, 2025 by Kailani

Next review due: March 25, 2026

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