Tooltips are small pop-up elements that provide contextual information about interface elements when users hover over or focus on them. They enhance usability without cluttering the interface, offering just-in-time information that helps users understand functionality.

ContextualNon-intrusiveAccessibleProgressive EnhancementResponsive
Primary Purpose of Tooltips
Understanding when and why to use tooltips in your interface design.

Core Purpose

  • Clarification: Explain unfamiliar icons or abbreviations
  • Additional Context: Provide helpful details without cluttering UI
  • Status Information: Show current state or values
  • Guidance: Offer hints and tips for complex interactions

Tooltip vs Other Components

Use Tooltip When:
  • • Brief, supplementary information
  • • Clarifying icons or controls
  • • Non-critical contextual details
Use Popover When:
  • • Rich content with formatting
  • • Interactive elements inside
  • • Longer explanations

Tooltip Usage Scenarios

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Icon Clarification: Explaining what an icon does when its meaning isn't immediately clear
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Disabled State Context: Explaining why an element is disabled and how to enable it
API Key: abc123...
Full key: abc123def456ghi789
Truncated Information: Showing full content when space is limited
When NOT to Use Tooltips
Important guidelines for avoiding tooltip overuse and misuse.

❌ Avoid Tooltips For:

  • • Essential information that users need to complete tasks
  • • Error messages or critical feedback
  • • Complex content that requires interaction or formatting
  • • Touch-only interfaces where hover doesn't exist
  • • Repetitive information that's already visible on screen
  • • Navigation or primary actions (use clear labels instead)

✅ Good Tooltip Practices:

  • • Keep content concise and scannable
  • • Use for progressive disclosure of secondary information
  • • Provide value beyond what's already visible
  • • Make the interface work without tooltips
  • • Ensure content is accessible via keyboard
  • • Use consistent timing and positioning