Button

A Button triggers an action or confirms a choice when the user activates it.

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Code example

import { Button } from '@yleisradio/yds-components-react';

<Button text="Primary" />

Why to use

Buttons are used to execute actions in the interface: submitting a form, opening a modal, cancelling an operation, or performing add/remove actions. They stand out visually from surrounding content and guide the user’s attention to the most important actions. The button text must clearly communicate what happens when it is pressed (for example, “Poista kaikki” or “Lähetä lomake”). It should typically start with a verb and use sentence case.

When to use

Use a Button when the user needs to perform an explicit action. Buttons initiate tasks, submit information, confirm decisions, or open additional functionality. Use a Button whenever the user is expected to do something, not just navigate or view content.

Do

• Use a Button when an action changes data, advances a task, or opens an interaction.
• Use the Primary button for the main action in a section or flow.
• Use Secondary and Text buttons for supporting or lower-priority actions.
• Use a Button instead of a link when something should happen on the same page.
• Use icon-only buttons only when they fit the interaction pattern, the icon is widely recognized, or space is limited.

Don’t

• Don’t use a Button for simple navigation — use a Link instead.
• Don’t use a Button when the action is ambiguous or when a menu would better support the flow.
• Don’t use multiple Primary buttons in the same section — it weakens the main action.
• Don’t use disabled buttons to explain why something can’t be done — use helper or error text instead.
• Don’t use very small button sizes as the default, especially on touch devices.

Content Guidelines

Button labels must be short, clear, and action-oriented. They tell the user exactly what will happen when the button is pressed. Good labels increase confidence and reduce cognitive load.

• Start labels with a clear verb (e.g., Tallenna, Jatka, Muokkaa, Poista).
• Keep labels brief — ideally 1–2 words.
• Use consistent wording across the product (e.g., always use Peruuta for dismissing actions).
• Don’t use vague or generic labels like OK, Hyväksy, or Klikkaa tästä.
• Don’t use humor, jargon, or internal terminology unfamiliar to users.
• Don’t rely on icon-only labels without accessible text.

Usage in UI patterns

Text labels

Use concise, action-oriented labels starting with a verb without unnecessary words or politeness (e.g., Tallenna, Jatka, Muokkaa, Poista).

Do

Good: Clear and concise.

Don't

Bad: Unnecessary politeness.

Do

Good: Clear and concise.

Don't

Bad: Unnecessary words.

Short labels

Keep labels brief — ideally 1–2 words. Avoid long phrases or sentences.

Do

Good: Short and to the point.

Don't

Bad: Too long and wordy.

Icons

Even with an icon, the label must clearly describe the action (e.g., “Poista tiedosto” with a trash can icon), not just an icon.

Do

Good: Text describes the action.

Don't

Bad: Icon alone is unclear.

Forms

The label should describe the result of submitting (e.g., “Lähetä lomake”, “Tallenna muutokset”), not the action “Lähetä”.

Do

Good: Describes the result of the action.

Don't

Bad: Vague about what happens.

Dialogs & confirmations

The primary button must clearly confirm the intended action (e.g., “Poista tiedosto”, “Hyväksy ehdot”), while secondary actions use neutral wording (e.g., “Peruuta”).

Do

Good: Clearly states the action.

Don't

Bad: Ambiguous confirmation.

Destructive actions

Make the consequence explicit to prevent mistakes (e.g., “Poista kaikki”, “Tyhjennä lista”). Avoid ambiguous verbs like “Poista” ilman kohdetta.

Do

Good: Specifies what will be deleted.

Don't

Bad: Unclear about the target.

Navigation

Labels should indicate where the user will go (e.g., “Jatka eteenpäin”, “Avaa asetukset”, “Näytä lisää”).

Do

Good: Indicates the destination.

Don't

Bad: Vague about where it leads.

Anatomy

1. Container – Clickable target
2. Label – Action text
3. Icon Before (Optional) – Visual cue preceding text
4. Icon After (Optional) – Supplementary indicator

Key Button Props

Use these props to configure the Button component.

text

Visible label text of the button. Explains the action performed when pressed.

Type	Example	Description
string		Text displayed inside the button that explains what happens when it is pressed.

Code example

<Button text="Submit" />

danger

Avoid using children for text because it may lead to inconsistent styling with some other props.

variant

Defines the visual and hierarchical level of the button.

Value	Example	Description
primary		Default variant for the main action.
secondary		Secondary action. Always used with a primary button.
text		Low-emphasis text-style button.

Code example

<Button text="Save" />
<Button variant="secondary" text="Cancel" />
<Button variant="text" text="Details" />

size

Adjusts dimensions and typography.

Value	Example	Description
xs		Smallest accessible button.
sm		Compact button.
md		Default size.
lg		Large button for key CTAs.

Code example

<Button size="xs" text="Button" />
<Button size="sm" text="Button" />
<Button size="md" text="Button" />
<Button size="lg" text="Button" />

isDisabled

Non-interactive, dimmed styling.

Type	Example	Description
boolean		Temporarily prevents user interaction. Sets aria-disabled on the button.

Code example

<Button isDisabled text="Submit" />

fullWidth

Expands Button to fill parent width – especially useful in mobile views.

Type	Example	Description
boolean		Makes the button stretch horizontally.

Code example

<div style={{ width: '300px' }}>
  <Button text="Button" fullWidth />
</div>

iconBefore

Adds icon component before the text.

Type	Example	Description
ReactNode		Rendered before the label text.

Code example

import { Play, ArrowRight } from '@yleisradio/yds-icons-react';

<Button iconBefore={<Play />} text="Play" />

iconAfter

Adds icon component after the text. Often used for dropdown indicators or directional arrows.

Type	Example	Description
ReactNode		Rendered after the label text.

Code example

import { ArrowRight } from '@yleisradio/yds-icons-react';

<Button text="Next" iconAfter={<ArrowRight />} />

iconOnly

Renders a button with only an icon, requires accessibleText for accessibility.

Type	Example	Description
boolean		Icon-only button variant.

Code example

<Button iconBefore={<Play />} accessibleText="Play media" iconOnly />

accessibleText

Supplementary text for screen readers when using icon-only buttons.

Type	Example	Description
string		Provides additional context for assistive technologies. Uses aria-label.

Code example

<Button text="Play" accessibleText="Play media" />

removePadding

Removes default padding, use only when you fully control the inner layout.

Type	Example	Description
boolean		Works only with variant="text". Eliminates default padding inside the button.

Code example

<Button text="Button" variant="text" removePadding />

loading

Replaces text with a loading spinner and disables interaction.

Type	Example	Description
boolean		Indicates that an action is in progress.

Code example

<Button text="Submit" loading />

Behavior

• Buttons provide clear visual feedback for interaction states (hover, focus, active, disabled, loading).
• Clicking or tapping a button triggers its action immediately.
• Loading state prevents repeated submissions or accidental double actions.
• Disabled buttons do not respond to interaction and appear inactive.
• Keep button sizes consistent within a group.
• Use full-width buttons on mobile to improve tap targets and clarity.
• Icon-only buttons and dropdown buttons must behave consistently with text buttons.
• Buttons that open menus or dialogs should visually indicate expanded and collapsed states.

Accessibility

• Ensure icon-only buttons have an accessible name via aria-label.
• Disabled buttons should generally be focusable.
• Disable a button only when the action cannot yet be performed — and provide guidance nearby.
• Icon-only buttons must include accessible text via accessibleText.
• Fully keyboard-accessible and visible focus states.
  (WCAG 2.1.1 — Keyboard)

Implementation examples

Asynchronous actions

Code example

import { Button } from '@yleisradio/yds-components-react';
import { useState } from 'react';

export const AsynchronousButton = () => {
  const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(false);

  const handleClick = () => {
    setIsLoading(true);
    // Simulate an asynchronous operation
    setTimeout(() => {
      setIsLoading(false);
    }, 2000);
  };

  return (
    <Button
      onClick={handleClick}
      isDisabled={isLoading}
      loading={isLoading}
      accessibleText={isLoading ? 'Loading' : undefined}
    >
      Click to trigger
    </Button>
  );
};

Disabled until conditions are met

Hyväksyn käyttöehdot

Code example

import { Button, Checkbox } from '@yleisradio/yds-components-react';
import { useState } from 'react';

export const DisabledButton = () => {
  const [termsAccepted, setIsTermsAccepted] = useState(false);

  return (
    <div style={{ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', gap: '8px' }}>
      <Checkbox
        name="terms-accepted"
        value="terms-accepted"
        label="Hyväksyn käyttöehdot"
        variant="primary"
        onChange={(e) => setIsTermsAccepted(e.target.checked)}
      />
      <Button isDisabled={!termsAccepted}>Lähetä lomake</Button>
    </div>
  );
};

API Reference

Props

The Button component accepts all standard HTML <button> attributes in addition to the following props:

Prop	Type	Required	Default	Description
variant	'primary' | 'secondary' | 'text'	No	'primary'
isDisabled	boolean	No	false
iconBefore	React.ReactElement<SvgProps> | null	No	undefined
iconAfter	React.ReactElement<SvgProps> | null	No	undefined
iconOnly	boolean	No	false
loading	boolean	No	false
size	ButtonSize	No	'md'
text	string	No	—
accessibleText	string	No	—
fullWidth	boolean	No	false
removePadding	boolean	No	false

Type Definitions

export type ButtonSize = 'xs' | 'sm' | 'md' | 'lg';

export interface ButtonDSProps {
  variant?: 'primary' | 'secondary' | 'text';
  isDisabled?: boolean;
  iconBefore?: React.ReactElement<SvgProps> | null;
  iconAfter?: React.ReactElement<SvgProps> | null;
  iconOnly?: boolean;
  loading?: boolean;
  size?: ButtonSize;
  text?: string;
  accessibleText?: string;
  fullWidth?: boolean;
  removePadding?: boolean;
}

export type ButtonProps<C extends React.ElementType> = PolymorphicComponentPropsWithRef<
  C,
  ButtonDSProps
>;

Related Components

• Link – Navigational transitions.
• ButtonGroup – Group of buttons for related actions.
• ActionMenu – Extends Button with a dropdown of related actions.
• Badge – Often attached to a Button to show counts or status.
• Spinner – Can be used inside a Button to indicate a loading state.