Keyboard Navigation

The ability to navigate and interact with a website using only keyboard controls, essential for accessibility. Test tab order, focus visibility, and keyboard-activated interactions to ensure full functionality. Many users rely on keyboard navigation due to motor disabilities or preference.

Related terms

Related terms

  • Accessibility

    Accessibility

    The practice of designing websites that can be used by everyone, including people with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities. Beyond being ethically important, accessibility improves SEO, expands your audience, and is legally required in many jurisdictions. Key practices include proper heading structure, alt text for images, sufficient color contrast, and navigationkeyboard navigation support.

  • Focus State

    Accessibility

    The visual appearance of an interactive element when it receives keyboard focus, which is critical for accessibility. Focus states must remain clearly visible; do not remove them without providing an equally visible replacement. A strong focus style improves usability for keyboard and assistive-technology users.

  • Navigation

    Components

    The system of links and menus that helps users find content and move through a website. Good navigation is consistent, clearly labeled, and reflects user mental models about site structure. Test navigation with real users to ensure your labels and organization make sense to your audience.

  • Smooth Scroll

    Interaction

    Animated scrolling that eases between positions rather than jumping instantly, creating smoother navigation. Smooth scroll improves user experience when jumping to anchors or returning to top. Ensure smooth scroll doesn't interfere with user scroll input.

  • Tab

    Components

    An interactive element allowing users to switch between content panels without leaving the page, saving space and organizing related content. Tabs work best for equally important parallel content, not sequential steps. Ensure tab interfaces are keyboard accessible with proper ARIA roles.

  • Tab Index

    Accessibility

    The tabindex attribute controls whether an element can receive keyboard focus and in what order. Use 0 to include an element in natural tab order and -1 for programmatic focus only. Avoid positive values because they create confusing navigation order.

  • Web Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Designing and developing websites usable by people with various disabilities including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive. Accessibility is both ethically important and often legally required. Build accessibility in from the start rather than retrofitting.