---
title: Checkbox
description: Checkboxes toggle independent options on or off. Use them when each choice is unrelated and more than one can be selected.
category: Forms
---

import { meta as CheckboxMeta, Default } from '@/content/stories/checkbox';
import Canvas from '@/components/component-docs/canvas';
import Demo from '@/components/component-docs/demo';

export const config = {
	dependencies: {
		components: [Canvas, Demo],
		scripts: [
			'../../components/component-docs/demo.script.tsx',
			'../../components/component-docs/canvas.script.tsx',
			'../../components/component-docs/controls.script.tsx',
		],
	},
};


# Checkbox

<p class="docs-lede">Checkboxes toggle independent options on or off. Use them when each choice is unrelated and more than one can be selected.</p>

## Try it

<Demo of={Default} meta={CheckboxMeta} />

## Usage

Wrap a checkbox in `RuiField` with `RuiLabel` for consistent spacing and error display. Bind `checked` for controlled state.

```tsx
import { RuiCheckbox } from '@ecopages/radiant-ui/checkbox';
import { RuiField } from '@ecopages/radiant-ui/field';
import { RuiLabel } from '@ecopages/radiant-ui/label';

<RuiField name="newsletter">
  <RuiLabel>Email me product updates</RuiLabel>
  <RuiCheckbox checked={subscribed} value="yes" />
</RuiField>
```

## Custom markup

`<rui-checkbox>` coordinates any light-DOM tree that matches its query contract. The `RuiCheckbox` helper stamps these targets; it is not required.

```tsx
import '@ecopages/radiant-ui/checkbox';

<rui-checkbox checked value="yes">
  <label class="rui-checkbox">
    <input
      type="checkbox"
      data-ref="input"
      data-rui-control
      data-rui-control-type="boolean"
      class="rui-checkbox__input"
    />
    <span class="rui-checkbox__control" aria-hidden="true"></span>
    <span class="rui-checkbox__label">Email me product updates</span>
  </label>
</rui-checkbox>
```

BEM classes are presentation-only. The host syncs `checked`, `indeterminate`, `disabled`, `value`, `name`, and `aria-checked` on `[data-ref="input"]`.

## Indeterminate selections

<p>Set `indeterminate` when a parent checkbox represents a partially selected group. Clear indeterminate once the user makes an explicit choice.</p>

## Related components

<p>For multiple related options as one form field, use a <a href="/components/checkbox-group">checkbox group</a>. For mutually exclusive choices, use a <a href="/components/radio-group">radio group</a>.</p>

## Wire through RuiField

<p>Pass `name` on `RuiField` so the checkbox participates in `RuiForm` validation and submission.</p>

## Theming

Checkbox chrome maps to **semantic surface roles**, never Tailwind palette steps:

| Part / state | CSS roles |
| --- | --- |
| Box (`rui-checkbox__control`) | `border`, `background`, `rounded-control` |
| Checked box | `primary` fill, `on-primary` check glyph |
| Indeterminate bar | `primary` on `background` |
| Focus | `focus-ring` |
| Disabled | `opacity-disabled` |

Label text uses `on-background`. Override roles at the theme layer, not in component CSS.

## Accessibility

- Every checkbox needs a visible label; use `RuiLabel` or `aria-label`.
- Indeterminate state is exposed with `aria-checked="mixed"`.
- Disabled checkboxes should include context explaining why the option is unavailable.

## API

`RuiCheckbox` renders a `<label>` and native `<input type="checkbox">` inside the coordinating `<rui-checkbox>` custom element. Use the JSX view or compose equivalent marked-up light DOM; the browser owns activation and Space-to-toggle.

### Attributes (`<rui-checkbox>`)

| Attribute | Type | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `checked` | `boolean` | `false` | Checked state. |
| `indeterminate` | `boolean` | `false` | Partially checked (mixed) state; sets `indeterminate` IDL + `aria-checked="mixed"`. |
| `disabled` | `boolean` | `false` | Disabled state. |
| `value` | `string` | `on` | Value submitted with forms when checked. |
| `name` | `string` | `''` | Form field name on the inner input. |

### Light-DOM contract

| Target | Required | Host writes | Author owns |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `[data-ref="input"]` | yes | `checked`, `indeterminate`, `disabled`, `value`, `name`, `aria-checked` | the input element; stamp `data-rui-control` for field wiring |

Do not fight host-owned input state. Nested hosts: none.

### Events

| Event | Detail | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `rui-change` | `{ checked: boolean, indeterminate: boolean }` | Emitted after the state changes. |

### View helpers

| Component | Target stamped | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `RuiCheckbox` | `[data-ref="input"]` on native checkbox | Children render in `rui-checkbox__label`. Always stamps `data-rui-control`. |

### CSS classes

Public BEM classes (documented via `@cssclass`):

| Class | Description |
| --- | --- |
| `.rui-checkbox` | Label row: box + visible label. |
| `.rui-checkbox__input` | Native input (visually hidden, receives focus). |
| `.rui-checkbox__control` | Visible box with check / indeterminate glyph. |
| `.rui-checkbox__label` | Light-DOM label text. |

### Theme roles

| Part | CSS variables consumed |
| --- | --- |
| Box | `--border`, `--background` |
| Checked | `--primary`, `--on-primary` |
| Indeterminate | `--primary` |
| Focus ring | `--focus-ring` |