PAXTON-DIGITAL OPERATING SYSTEM · paxton-digital.com
Editorial
Accessible Design 3 min read

Focus States: The Most Overlooked Accessibility Detail

Removing the default focus ring is one of the most common accessibility mistakes on the web. Here is what to do instead.

The default browser focus ring is not beautiful. Designers frequently remove it because it disrupts the visual design. This is one of the most common accessibility mistakes on the web.

Why focus states matter

Keyboard navigation is used by people with motor disabilities, power users, and anyone navigating a form without a mouse. When focus states are removed, keyboard users cannot tell where they are on the page. The interface becomes unusable for anyone not using a pointer device.

The right solution

The right solution is a custom focus state that is visible, clearly associated with the focused element, and consistent with the visual design. Use the :focus-visible pseudo-class to show focus styles only when the element was focused via keyboard, not via mouse click.

Define a custom :focus-visible style for all interactive elements, remove the default outline only when you have replaced it with something better, and test the result with keyboard navigation before shipping.