Enter or Space

Opens menu and moves focus to first item.

Down Arrow (on trigger)

Opens menu and moves focus to first item.

Up Arrow (on trigger, optional)

Opens menu and moves focus to last item.

Up Arrow / Down Arrow (in menu)

Moves focus to previous/next item at the current menu level (wrapping behavior may be implementation-defined).

Right Arrow / Left Arrow

In submenu hierarchies: opens child submenu or returns to parent menu item (direction follows hierarchy and orientation).

Home / End

Moves focus to first/last item in current menu level.

Printable character keys

Moves focus to the next item whose label begins with typed character(s) (typeahead).

Enter or Space (on item)

Activates item. For checkbox/radio/switch items, may toggle state and optionally keep menu open based on selection behavior.

Esc

Closes current submenu/menu and returns focus to parent item or menu trigger.

Tab / Shift + Tab

Exits menu, closes open menus, and moves focus to next/previous focusable element.

Pointer

Use the pointer cursor for all interactive components in every state.

Non-text content

A

Non-text elements, such as icons used in menu items, must provide a text alternative that communicates the item's purpose. All menu items, especially icon-only items, need an accessible name (for example, via a title, aria-label, or associated text) so screen readers can announce their function.

Info and relationships, Identify purpose

1.3.1, 1.3.6

A, AAA

Menus must be understandable to assistive technologies, such as screen readers. Use proper semantic HTML or the appropriate ARIA roles to ensure accessibility.

Text contrast

AA

The visual presentation of text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1.

Resize text

AA

Menus should be built in such a way that they can be resized without assistive technology up to 200%.

Visual presentation

AAA

The width of text blocks is no more than 80 characters (40 for CJK languages), and text is never justified.

Non-text contrast

AA

The visual presentation of illustrations and component states have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1.

Text spacing

AA

Line height of text is at least 1.5x the font size.

Requirement

Criterion

Level

Keyboard

2.1.1, 2.1.3

A, AAA

All functionality of the component is operable through a keyboard without specific timing for keystrokes.

Keyboard traps

A

Focus can be moved away from the component using only a keyboard.

Seizures and physical reactions

2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.3.3

A, AAA, AAA

There is no flashing content or unnecessary motion or animation in this component.

Focus order

A

Navigation sequences receive focus in an order that preserves meaning and operability.

Focus visible

AA

Keyboard states use an indicator that is visible with at least 3:1 contrast.