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Stepper

Multi-step form header featuring progress navigation and a back action. The Stepper component visually communicates a user’s position within a linear, multi-step process. It helps users understand how many steps remain, which step is currently active, and which steps have already been completed.

This component is designed to remain sticky at the top of the viewport as users progress through a flow, providing constant orientation. It adapts across mobile, tablet, and desktop breakpoints.

Use the Stepper when:

  • A process is too complex for a single view — for instance, when it requires more than 5–6 fields that should be logically grouped.
  • High-value transactions such as checkouts, insurance applications, or legal forms where the user needs constant reassurance of their progress and should focus entirely on finishing the task.
  • Linear journeys where the sequence of information matters and the user must be guided through a specific path.

Avoid using the Stepper when:

  • The task can be completed in a single page view.
  • The process is non-linear and the user needs to jump back and forth between sections in any order — a sequential form header would be misleading.
  • The flow has fewer than 2 steps.
  • The component would be used in overlays or modals where space is limited, making the UI feel too packed.

Quick summary of accessibility & consistency

Section titled “Quick summary of accessibility & consistency”
  • Ensure the Back Button is the first focusable element when moving to step 2.
  • Reinforce step indicators with a label for screen readers: “Step 1: description of the step”.
  • If a user navigates back, previously entered data must be persisted. Never clear a form field during a “Back” action.
  • Maintain a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio for step indicators and ensure text remains legible at 200% zoom.
  • The header must remain sticky at the top of the viewport to provide constant orientation — use its “scroll version” when scrolled.

Mobile

Stepper
Background color:
color-background-neutral-default#ffffff
color-background-neutral-default#ffffff
Width: 375
Title
Height: 26
Text style:

Title/Desktop/8-default

.item/Step
Label: false

Tablet

Stepper
Background color:
color-background-neutral-default#ffffff
color-background-neutral-default#ffffff
Width: 768
Title
Height: 26
Text style:

Title/Desktop/8-default

.item/Step
Label: true

Desktop

Stepper
Background color:
color-surface-neutral-default#ffffff
color-surface-neutral-default#ffffff
Width: 1432
Title
Height: 48
Text style:

Title/Desktop/7-default

.item/Step
Label: true

Mobile

Stepper
Drop shadow: Elevation/M
Background color:
color-background-neutral-default#ffffff
color-background-neutral-default#ffffff
Width: 375
Stepper
Width: 352
.item/Step
Label: false

Tablet

Stepper
Drop shadow: Elevation/M
Background color:
color-background-neutral-default#ffffff
color-background-neutral-default#ffffff
Width: 768
.item/Step
Label: true

Desktop

Stepper
Drop shadow: Elevation/M
Background color:
color-surface-neutral-default#ffffff
color-surface-neutral-default#ffffff
Width: 1432
.item/Step
Label: true
Button-Main
Property type: Boolean
Default: true
Associated layers: Button-Main
1. Button-Main
Depends on: Button-Main
Icon: <Instance name>
Has icon left: true
Has border: false
Has icon right: false
Type: Tertiary
Size: LG
State: Rested
Contrast: False
2. Title
Text align: Center
3. Stepper
4. .item/Step (Current)
Depends on: .item/Step
Label: true
State: Current
Hover: Yes
5. .item/Step lines
Depends on: .item/Step lines
State: Rested
6. .item/Step (Rested)
Depends on: .item/Step
State: Rested
Hover: No
7. .item/Step lines
Depends on: .item/Step lines
State: Rested
8. .item/Step (Rested)
Depends on: .item/Step
State: Rested
Hover: No
9. .item/Step lines
Depends on: .item/Step lines
State: Rested
10. .item/Step (Rested)
Depends on: .item/Step
State: Rested
Hover: No

Toyota

Title
Font family:
typography-title-desktop-7-font-familyNobel
Lorem Ipsum
typography-title-desktop-7-font-familyToyota Type
Lorem Ipsum
Font weight:
typography-title-desktop-7-font-weight-default200
Lorem Ipsum
typography-title-desktop-7-font-weight-default500
Lorem Ipsum
Text color:
color-foreground-neutral-default#333333
color-foreground-neutral-default#282830

Lexus

Title
Font family:
typography-title-desktop-7-font-familyNobel
Lorem Ipsum
typography-title-desktop-7-font-familyToyota Type
Lorem Ipsum
Font weight:
typography-title-desktop-7-font-weight-default200
Lorem Ipsum
typography-title-desktop-7-font-weight-default500
Lorem Ipsum
Text color:
color-foreground-neutral-default#333333
color-foreground-neutral-default#282830
NameApplied asApplied to
color-background-neutral-default
Background colorStepper container (mobile / tablet)
color-background-neutral-default
Background colorStepper container (mobile / tablet)
color-surface-neutral-default
Background colorStepper container (desktop)
color-surface-neutral-default
Background colorStepper container (desktop)
color-foreground-neutral-default
Text colorTitle, Step indicator number, Step label
color-foreground-neutral-default
Text colorTitle, Step indicator number, Step label
color-foreground-neutral-muted
Text colorStep label (rested / upcoming)
color-foreground-neutral-muted
Text colorStep label (rested / upcoming)
color-border-neutral-default
Border colorStep indicator (current)
color-border-neutral-default
Border colorStep indicator (current)
color-border-neutral-muted
Border colorStep indicator (rested)
color-border-neutral-muted
Border colorStep indicator (rested)
color-foreground-contrast-default
Icon colorCheck icon (filled step)
color-foreground-contrast-default
Icon colorCheck icon (filled step)
color-border-neutral-muted
Divider colorStep lines
color-border-neutral-muted
Divider colorStep lines
NameApplied asApplied to
Lorem Ipsum
typography-title-7
Text styleTitle
Lorem Ipsum
typography-title-7
Text styleTitle
  • All states (current, rested, filled) must maintain accessible contrast.
  • Focus styles must remain visible and meet WCAG AA contrast requirements. Focus should be clearly distinguishable from hover.
  • Colour tokens used should be semantic (e.g. foreground/neutral/default) rather than fixed values, ensuring the component adapts correctly to different themes or surfaces.
  • Maintain a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio for step indicators and ensure text remains legible at 200% zoom.

To ensure the Stepper meets WCAG 2.1 AA and supports assistive technologies, follow these implementation standards:

  1. Interactive Target
    • Group the circle and label as a single button or link. The user should only Tab once per step.
  2. Semantic Labeling
    • Use aria-labelledby to associate the step number with the label text, or use a single aria-label on the container.
  3. State Indicator
    • Use aria-current="step" on the active step so screen reader users know exactly which part of the process they are in (e.g. “Step 1 out of 4: [Label]”).
  4. Back Button Assistance
    • If a user navigates back, previously entered data must be persisted. Never clear a form field during a “Back” action.
  5. Focus Flow
    • The user focuses on the “Step” and the next press of Tab moves focus directly into the first interactive element of that step’s content.
    • When a step is active, the next focus stop in the tab sequence must be the content area associated with that step.
    • Make sure the Back Button is the first focusable element when moving to step 2.
    • Navigate forward with Tab and backwards with Shift+Tab.
Guidance on how to use a component.
  • Use it when a process requires more than 5–6 fields that should be logically grouped.
  • Use it for high-value transactions such as checkouts, insurance applications, or legal forms where the user needs constant reassurance of their progress.
  • Use it for linear journeys where the sequence of information matters and the user must be guided through a specific path.
Guidance on what to avoid when using a component.
  • Don’t use it for single-page tasks where the user can complete the entire action in one view.
  • Don’t use it for non-linear processes where the user needs to jump back and forth between sections in any order — a sequential form header would be misleading.
  • Don’t use it for short flows with fewer than 2 steps.
  • Don’t use it in overlays and modals where space is limited — it can make the UI feel too packed.
Guidance on where this component has been used
  • On mobile breakpoints, only the label for the current step is displayed to keep labels readable for longer words. Labels for other steps are hidden.
  • On tablet and desktop breakpoints, all step labels are visible.