Components

Accordion

An accordion is a list of headers that hide or reveal additional content when selected.

Borderless

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

  • This is a list item
  • Another list item

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Bordered

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

  • This is a list item
  • Another list item

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Multiselectable

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

  • This is a list item
  • Another list item

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. 

<h3 class="site-preview-heading">Borderless</h3>
<div class="usa-accordion">
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="true"
      aria-controls="a1"
    >
      First Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="a1" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
      prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
      or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
      petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
    </p>
  </div>
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="false"
      aria-controls="a2"
    >
      Second Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="a2" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,
      the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
    </p>
    <ul>
      <li>This is a list item</li>
      <li>Another list item</li>
    </ul>
  </div>
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="false"
      aria-controls="a3"
    >
      Third Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="a3" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the
      consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed
      by law.
    </p>
  </div>
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="false"
      aria-controls="a4"
    >
      Fourth Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="a4" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
      effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be
      violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported
      by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
      searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
    </p>
  </div>
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="false"
      aria-controls="a5"
    >
      Fifth Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="a5" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous
      crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in
      cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in
      actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be
      subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;
      nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against
      himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due
      process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use,
      without just compensation.
    </p>
  </div>
</div>

<h3 class="site-preview-heading">Bordered</h3>

<div class="usa-accordion usa-accordion--bordered">
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="true"
      aria-controls="b-a1"
    >
      First Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="b-a1" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
      prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
      or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
      petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
    </p>
  </div>
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="false"
      aria-controls="b-a2"
    >
      Second Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="b-a2" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,
      the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
    </p>
    <ul>
      <li>This is a list item</li>
      <li>Another list item</li>
    </ul>
  </div>
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="false"
      aria-controls="b-a3"
    >
      Third Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="b-a3" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the
      consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed
      by law.
    </p>
  </div>
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="false"
      aria-controls="b-a4"
    >
      Fourth Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="b-a4" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
      effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be
      violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported
      by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
      searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
    </p>
  </div>
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="false"
      aria-controls="b-a5"
    >
      Fifth Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="b-a5" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous
      crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in
      cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in
      actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be
      subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;
      nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against
      himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due
      process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use,
      without just compensation.
    </p>
  </div>
</div>

<h3 class="site-preview-heading">Multiselectable</h3>

<div class="usa-accordion usa-accordion--multiselectable" data-allow-multiple>
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="true"
      aria-controls="m-a1"
    >
      First Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="m-a1" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
      prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
      or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
      petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
    </p>
  </div>
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="false"
      aria-controls="m-a2"
    >
      Second Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="m-a2" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,
      the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
    </p>
    <ul>
      <li>This is a list item</li>
      <li>Another list item</li>
    </ul>
  </div>
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="false"
      aria-controls="m-a3"
    >
      Third Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="m-a3" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the
      consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed
      by law.
    </p>
  </div>
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="false"
      aria-controls="m-a4"
    >
      Fourth Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="m-a4" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
      effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be
      violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported
      by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
      searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
    </p>
  </div>
  <h4 class="usa-accordion__heading">
    <button
      type="button"
      class="usa-accordion__button"
      aria-expanded="false"
      aria-controls="m-a5"
    >
      Fifth Amendment
    </button>
  </h4>
  <div id="m-a5" class="usa-accordion__content usa-prose">
    <p>
      No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous
      crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in
      cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in
      actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be
      subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;
      nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against
      himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due
      process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use,
      without just compensation.
    </p>
  </div>
</div>

Guidance

When to use the accordion

  • If users will only need a few specific pieces of content within a page.
  • If you have only a small space to display a lot of content.

When to consider something else

  • If users need to see most or all of the information on a page. Use well-formatted text instead.
  • If there is not enough content to warrant condensing. Accordions increase cognitive load and interaction cost because users have to make decisions about what headers to click on.

Usability guidance

  • Make the entire header selectable. Allow users to click anywhere in the header area to expand or collapse the content; a larger target is easier to manipulate.
  • Give interactive elements enough space. Make sure interactive elements within the collapsible region are far enough from the headers that users don’t accidentally trigger a collapse. (The exact distance depends on the device.)

Accessibility

  • Code header areas in the accordion as buttons. Using a <button type="button"> assures accordions are usable with both screen readers and keyboards.
  • Use aria-expanded on buttons to express an accordion’s default state. Buttons should state if they are expanded by default with aria-expanded="true". The aria-expanded="false" attribute will be added to other buttons when the accordion is initialized by the JavaScript.
  • Use unique ids. Each button has a unique name, aria-controls="id", that associates the control with the appropriate region by referencing the controlled element’s id.
  • Accordions use javascript to set the hidden values of their content areas. Each content area will have its hidden attribute set by the component, depending on its corresponding button’s aria-expanded attribute. To ensure your content is accessible in the event that the JavaScript does not load or is disabled, you should not manually set hidden on any of your content areas.

Using the accordion

  • Multiselectable accordion groups. Add the data-allow-multiple attribute to any usa-accordion to create a multiselectable accordion group.
  • Default an accordion button to open. Add the aria-expanded="true" attribute to any usa-accordion__button to have that section open by default at page load.

Accordion settings

Variable Description
$theme-accordion-border-width

Border width of the bordered accordion.
$theme-accordion-border-color

Border color of the bordered accordion.
$theme-accordion-font-family

Font family of the accordion.

Accordion variants

Variant Description

.usa-accordion--bordered

Display a border around accordion content.

Package

  • Package usage: @forward "usa-accordion";
  • Dependencies: uswds-fonts, usa-list