Style Icons

Overview

An icon can help explain the function of an element, such as a call to action.

When to use icons

Icons can make scanning a page quicker, as well as making target areas larger and easier to select. They can also help users with accessibility needs.

You can use an icon with a:

How to use icons

Use recognisable icons

Always consider if an icon is necessary, and only use icons that are universally understood. An icon that means different things to different people will make your product harder to use.

Our icons are supported by user research and are available from our icon set.

A selection of icons are labelled as suitable for use with web user interfaces, with the Nunjucks code available on the individual icon pages. This guidance details how to use these icons as part of a Design System component.

There is further guidance available on how we design our icons.

Use a label

Always use an icon with a text label. Using icons on their own means the user must think more, especially if the icon is not familiar to them.

Place icons before text to show function

Place an icon before the text to help the user understand the function of the element.

For example, a user can quickly see the printer icon first on the print button.

Example Button Print contents

Nunjucksfor Example Button Print
Nunjucks macro optionsfor Example Button Print
HTMLfor Example Button Print

Nunjucks

{% from "components/button/_macro.njk" import onsButton %}

{{
    onsButton({
        "text": 'Print this page',
        "variants": ['print', 'small', 'secondary']
    })
}}

Nunjucks macro options

Name	Type	Required	Description
text	string	true (unless `html` is set)	Text label for the button
html	string	true (unless `text` is set)	HTML for the button label
variants	array or string	false	An array of values or single value (string) to adjust the component using available variants: “small”, “secondary”, “ghost”, “disabled”, “loader”, “timer”, “print”, and “download”.
type	string	false	Sets the HTML `type` attribute for the `<button>`. Can be set to either: “button” or “reset”. Defaults to “submit”.
id	string	false	Sets the HTML `id` of the button
name	string	false	Sets the HTML `name` attribute for the `<button>`. Not valid if `url` is set.
value	string	false	Sets the HTML `value` attribute for the `<button>`. Not valid if `url` is set.
classes	string	false	Classes to add to the button component
innerClasses	string	false	Classes to add to the inner button element
url	string	false	Creates an HTML hyperlink `<a>` element in place of the `<button>` element, with the required classes and attributes. Set the URL for the `href` attribute.
newWindow	boolean	false	Set to “true” to make the button open the page set by `url` in a new tab. Used for links to external pages
newWindowDescription	string	false	Use to set context after the `newWindow` button’s `text` label for screen readers. Defaults to “opens in a new tab”
iconType	string	false	Adds an icon to the button, before the label, by setting the icon type
iconPosition	string	false	Sets the icon position of the button.
noIcon	boolean	false	Set to “true” to remove the button’s default icon
buttonContext	string	false	Use to add context after a button’s `text` label for screen readers. For example, the “Hide this” button in the cookies confirmation banner requires context to help let a screen reader user know what the button hides.
attributes	object	false	HTML attributes (for example, data attributes) to add to the button component
removeDownloadAttribute	boolean	false	Removes the `download` attribute on the download variant when set to “true”. Use when the download button needs to be redirected, for example when a session has expired. You must also set the `Content-Disposition` header to make sure the file is downloaded
listeners	object	false	Creates a `<script>` element that adds an event listener to the element by `id`. Takes `key { event }` and `value { function }`

HTML

<button type="button" class="ons-btn ons-btn--print ons-btn--small ons-btn--secondary ons-u-d-no ons-js-print-btn">
  <span class="ons-btn__inner">
    <svg class="ons-icon ons-u-mr-xs" viewBox="0 0 20 16" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" focusable="false"
      fill="currentColor">
      <path
        d="M17 4H3C1.3 4 0 5.2 0 6.8v5.5h4V16h12v-3.7h4V6.8C20 5.2 18.7 4 17 4zm-3 10H6V9h8v5zm3-6a1 1 0 1 1 0-2 1 1 0 0 1 0 2zm-1-8H4v3h12V0z" />
    </svg>
    <span class="ons-btn__text">Print this page</span></span>
</button>

A directional icon should be used with a button label or link to show the user the direction it will take them.

Use a forward navigation icon after the text and a backward navigation icon before the text.

For example, the arrow-next icon after the call to action button shows the button will move forward to the next page.

Example Button Link contents

Nunjucksfor Example Button Link
Nunjucks macro optionsfor Example Button Link
HTMLfor Example Button Link

Nunjucks

{% from "components/button/_macro.njk" import onsButton %}
{{
    onsButton({
        "text": 'Get started',
        "url": '#0'
    })
}}

Nunjucks macro options

Name	Type	Required	Description
text	string	true (unless `html` is set)	Text label for the button
html	string	true (unless `text` is set)	HTML for the button label
variants	array or string	false	An array of values or single value (string) to adjust the component using available variants: “small”, “secondary”, “ghost”, “disabled”, “loader”, “timer”, “print”, and “download”.
type	string	false	Sets the HTML `type` attribute for the `<button>`. Can be set to either: “button” or “reset”. Defaults to “submit”.
id	string	false	Sets the HTML `id` of the button
name	string	false	Sets the HTML `name` attribute for the `<button>`. Not valid if `url` is set.
value	string	false	Sets the HTML `value` attribute for the `<button>`. Not valid if `url` is set.
classes	string	false	Classes to add to the button component
innerClasses	string	false	Classes to add to the inner button element
url	string	false	Creates an HTML hyperlink `<a>` element in place of the `<button>` element, with the required classes and attributes. Set the URL for the `href` attribute.
newWindow	boolean	false	Set to “true” to make the button open the page set by `url` in a new tab. Used for links to external pages
newWindowDescription	string	false	Use to set context after the `newWindow` button’s `text` label for screen readers. Defaults to “opens in a new tab”
iconType	string	false	Adds an icon to the button, before the label, by setting the icon type
iconPosition	string	false	Sets the icon position of the button.
noIcon	boolean	false	Set to “true” to remove the button’s default icon
buttonContext	string	false	Use to add context after a button’s `text` label for screen readers. For example, the “Hide this” button in the cookies confirmation banner requires context to help let a screen reader user know what the button hides.
attributes	object	false	HTML attributes (for example, data attributes) to add to the button component
removeDownloadAttribute	boolean	false	Removes the `download` attribute on the download variant when set to “true”. Use when the download button needs to be redirected, for example when a session has expired. You must also set the `Content-Disposition` header to make sure the file is downloaded
listeners	object	false	Creates a `<script>` element that adds an event listener to the element by `id`. Takes `key { event }` and `value { function }`

HTML

<a href="#0" role="button" class="ons-btn ons-btn--link ons-js-submit-btn">
  <span class="ons-btn__inner"><span class="ons-btn__text">Get started</span>
    <svg class="ons-icon ons-u-ml-xs" viewBox="0 0 17 13" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" focusable="false"
      fill="currentColor">
      <path
        d="m10 .2-.9.9c-.1.1-.1.4 0 .5l4 4H.6c-.2 0-.4.2-.4.4v1.2c0 .2.2.4.4.4h12.5l-3.9 3.7c-.2.2-.2.4 0 .6l.8.9c.2.2.4.2.6 0L16.8 7c.2-.2.2-.4 0-.6L10.7.3c-.3-.2-.5-.2-.7-.1z" />
    </svg>
  </span>
</a>

The chevron icon before the back link shows the link will move back to the previous page.

Nunjucks

{% from "components/breadcrumbs/_macro.njk" import onsBreadcrumbs %}

{{
    onsBreadcrumbs({
        "ariaLabel": 'Back',
        "itemsList": [
            {
                "url": '/',
                "id": "backlink",
                "text": 'Back',
                "attributes": {
                    "data-attribute": "Example attribute"
                }
            }
        ]
    })
}}

HTML

<nav class="ons-breadcrumbs" aria-label="Back">
  <ol class="ons-breadcrumbs__items ons-u-fs-s">
    <li class="ons-breadcrumbs__item" id="breadcrumb-1">
      <a class="ons-breadcrumbs__link" href="/" id="backlink" data-attribute="Example attribute">Back</a>
      <svg class="ons-icon" viewBox="0 0 8 13" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" focusable="false" fill="currentColor">
        <path
          d="M5.74,14.28l-.57-.56a.5.5,0,0,1,0-.71h0l5-5-5-5a.5.5,0,0,1,0-.71h0l.57-.56a.5.5,0,0,1,.71,0h0l5.93,5.93a.5.5,0,0,1,0,.7L6.45,14.28a.5.5,0,0,1-.71,0Z"
          transform="translate(-5.02 -1.59)" />
      </svg>
    </li>
  </ol>
</nav>

Icon type

Use the parameter iconType to set the type of icon. The value will be the name of the “Web UI” icon, which you will need to choose from our icon set.

Icon position

You can set an icon’s position to before or after the text on a button or list.

Use the parameter iconPosition and give it a value of either “before” or ”after”.

Icon size

You can change the size of an icon on a list or panel – from the default size of regular text – to match the size of the text, as detailed in the type scale.

Use the parameter iconSize and give it a value of either: “s”, “m”, “l”, “xl”, “xxl” or “xxxl”.

Example Icons Size contents

Nunjucksfor Example Icons Size
HTMLfor Example Icons Size

Nunjucks

{% from "components/panel/_macro.njk" import onsPanel %}

{{
    onsPanel({
        "type": 'success',
        "id": 'success-id',
        "iconType": 'check',
        "iconSize": 'xxxl',
        "body": '<h2 class="ons-u-fs-xxxl">xxxl</h2>'
    })
}}
{{
    onsPanel({
        "type": 'success',
        "id": 'success-id',
        "iconType": 'check',
        "iconSize": 'xxl',
        "body": '<h2 class="ons-u-fs-xxl">xxl</h2>'
    })
}}
{{
    onsPanel({
        "type": 'success',
        "id": 'success-id',
        "iconType": 'check',
        "iconSize": 'xl',
        "body": '<h2 class="ons-u-fs-xl">xl</h2>'
    })
}}
{{
    onsPanel({
        "type": 'success',
        "id": 'success-id',
        "iconType": 'check',
        "iconSize": 'l',
        "body": '<h2 class="ons-u-fs-l">l</h2>'
    })
}}
{{
    onsPanel({
        "type": 'success',
        "id": 'success-id',
        "iconType": 'check',
        "iconSize": 'm',
        "body": '<h2 class="ons-u-fs-m">m</h2>'
    })
}}
{{
    onsPanel({
        "type": 'success',
        "id": 'success-id',
        "iconType": 'check',
        "body": '<p>r</p>'
    })
}}
{{
    onsPanel({
        "type": 'success',
        "id": 'success-id',
        "iconType": 'check',
        "iconSize": 's',
        "body": '<p class="ons-u-fs-s">s</p>'
    })
}}

HTML

<div aria-labelledby="alert" role="alert" tabindex="-1" class="ons-panel ons-panel--success ons-panel--no-title"
  id="success-id">
  <span id="alert" class="ons-panel__assistive-text ons-u-vh">Completed: </span>
  <span class="ons-panel__icon ons-u-fs-xxxl">
    <svg class="ons-icon ons-icon--xxxl" viewBox="0 0 13 10" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" focusable="false"
      fill="currentColor">
      <path
        d="M14.35,3.9l-.71-.71a.5.5,0,0,0-.71,0h0L5.79,10.34,3.07,7.61a.51.51,0,0,0-.71,0l-.71.71a.51.51,0,0,0,0,.71l3.78,3.78a.5.5,0,0,0,.71,0h0L14.35,4.6A.5.5,0,0,0,14.35,3.9Z"
        transform="translate(-1.51 -3.04)" />
    </svg>
  </span>
  <div class="ons-panel__body ons-icon-margin--xxxl">
    <h2 class="ons-u-fs-xxxl">xxxl</h2>
  </div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="alert" role="alert" tabindex="-1" class="ons-panel ons-panel--success ons-panel--no-title"
  id="success-id">
  <span id="alert" class="ons-panel__assistive-text ons-u-vh">Completed: </span>
  <span class="ons-panel__icon ons-u-fs-xxl">
    <svg class="ons-icon ons-icon--xxl" viewBox="0 0 13 10" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" focusable="false"
      fill="currentColor">
      <path
        d="M14.35,3.9l-.71-.71a.5.5,0,0,0-.71,0h0L5.79,10.34,3.07,7.61a.51.51,0,0,0-.71,0l-.71.71a.51.51,0,0,0,0,.71l3.78,3.78a.5.5,0,0,0,.71,0h0L14.35,4.6A.5.5,0,0,0,14.35,3.9Z"
        transform="translate(-1.51 -3.04)" />
    </svg>
  </span>
  <div class="ons-panel__body ons-icon-margin--xxl">
    <h2 class="ons-u-fs-xxl">xxl</h2>
  </div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="alert" role="alert" tabindex="-1" class="ons-panel ons-panel--success ons-panel--no-title"
  id="success-id">
  <span id="alert" class="ons-panel__assistive-text ons-u-vh">Completed: </span>
  <span class="ons-panel__icon ons-u-fs-xl">
    <svg class="ons-icon ons-icon--xl" viewBox="0 0 13 10" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" focusable="false"
      fill="currentColor">
      <path
        d="M14.35,3.9l-.71-.71a.5.5,0,0,0-.71,0h0L5.79,10.34,3.07,7.61a.51.51,0,0,0-.71,0l-.71.71a.51.51,0,0,0,0,.71l3.78,3.78a.5.5,0,0,0,.71,0h0L14.35,4.6A.5.5,0,0,0,14.35,3.9Z"
        transform="translate(-1.51 -3.04)" />
    </svg>
  </span>
  <div class="ons-panel__body ons-icon-margin--xl">
    <h2 class="ons-u-fs-xl">xl</h2>
  </div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="alert" role="alert" tabindex="-1" class="ons-panel ons-panel--success ons-panel--no-title"
  id="success-id">
  <span id="alert" class="ons-panel__assistive-text ons-u-vh">Completed: </span>
  <span class="ons-panel__icon ons-u-fs-l">
    <svg class="ons-icon ons-icon--l" viewBox="0 0 13 10" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" focusable="false"
      fill="currentColor">
      <path
        d="M14.35,3.9l-.71-.71a.5.5,0,0,0-.71,0h0L5.79,10.34,3.07,7.61a.51.51,0,0,0-.71,0l-.71.71a.51.51,0,0,0,0,.71l3.78,3.78a.5.5,0,0,0,.71,0h0L14.35,4.6A.5.5,0,0,0,14.35,3.9Z"
        transform="translate(-1.51 -3.04)" />
    </svg>
  </span>
  <div class="ons-panel__body ons-icon-margin--l">
    <h2 class="ons-u-fs-l">l</h2>
  </div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="alert" role="alert" tabindex="-1" class="ons-panel ons-panel--success ons-panel--no-title"
  id="success-id">
  <span id="alert" class="ons-panel__assistive-text ons-u-vh">Completed: </span>
  <span class="ons-panel__icon ons-u-fs-m">
    <svg class="ons-icon ons-icon--m" viewBox="0 0 13 10" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" focusable="false"
      fill="currentColor">
      <path
        d="M14.35,3.9l-.71-.71a.5.5,0,0,0-.71,0h0L5.79,10.34,3.07,7.61a.51.51,0,0,0-.71,0l-.71.71a.51.51,0,0,0,0,.71l3.78,3.78a.5.5,0,0,0,.71,0h0L14.35,4.6A.5.5,0,0,0,14.35,3.9Z"
        transform="translate(-1.51 -3.04)" />
    </svg>
  </span>
  <div class="ons-panel__body ons-icon-margin--m">
    <h2 class="ons-u-fs-m">m</h2>
  </div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="alert" role="alert" tabindex="-1" class="ons-panel ons-panel--success ons-panel--no-title"
  id="success-id">
  <span id="alert" class="ons-panel__assistive-text ons-u-vh">Completed: </span>
  <span class="ons-panel__icon ons-u-fs-r">
    <svg class="ons-icon" viewBox="0 0 13 10" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" focusable="false" fill="currentColor">
      <path
        d="M14.35,3.9l-.71-.71a.5.5,0,0,0-.71,0h0L5.79,10.34,3.07,7.61a.51.51,0,0,0-.71,0l-.71.71a.51.51,0,0,0,0,.71l3.78,3.78a.5.5,0,0,0,.71,0h0L14.35,4.6A.5.5,0,0,0,14.35,3.9Z"
        transform="translate(-1.51 -3.04)" />
    </svg>
  </span>
  <div class="ons-panel__body">
    <p>r</p>
  </div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="alert" role="alert" tabindex="-1" class="ons-panel ons-panel--success ons-panel--no-title"
  id="success-id">
  <span id="alert" class="ons-panel__assistive-text ons-u-vh">Completed: </span>
  <span class="ons-panel__icon ons-u-fs-s">
    <svg class="ons-icon ons-icon--s" viewBox="0 0 13 10" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" focusable="false"
      fill="currentColor">
      <path
        d="M14.35,3.9l-.71-.71a.5.5,0,0,0-.71,0h0L5.79,10.34,3.07,7.61a.51.51,0,0,0-.71,0l-.71.71a.51.51,0,0,0,0,.71l3.78,3.78a.5.5,0,0,0,.71,0h0L14.35,4.6A.5.5,0,0,0,14.35,3.9Z"
        transform="translate(-1.51 -3.04)" />
    </svg>
  </span>
  <div class="ons-panel__body ons-icon-margin--s">
    <p class="ons-u-fs-s">s</p>
  </div>
</div>

Help improve this page

Let us know how we could improve this page, or share your user research findings. Discuss this page on GitHub (opens in a new tab)

Cookies on ons.gov.uk

Style Icons

Overview

When to use icons

How to use icons

Use recognisable icons

Use a label

Place icons before text to show function

Example Button Print contents

Nunjucks

Nunjucks macro options

HTML

Use navigation icons to show direction

Example Button Link contents

Nunjucks

Nunjucks macro options

HTML

Example Back Link contents

Nunjucks

HTML

Icon type

Icon position

Icon size

Example Icons Size contents

Nunjucks

HTML

Help improve this page