A toggle is a switch that has only two outcomes: on or off. It is the default control type found in most options menus and most mobile devices when a user needs to choose between a set of features or preferences.

A good toggle will clearly display the current state and a label that describes what the toggle will do when activated. Ideally, the label should be short and direct, so that users can say it out loud and understand it without confusion.

In web design, a toggle switch is a control that allows the user to change settings and other types of information quickly and easily. These controls are usually placed next to text or images that describe the changes a user will make. Toggles are also used in forms when a user needs to select a single choice between multiple options.

The word toggle has many meanings. It originally meant a pin passed through the eye of a rope to fasten it around a mast or stay. It is also used to refer to a quick, back-and-forth change between different states—for example, toggling between two cameras in an exhibit or switching from stream to map view in a live video chat.

When designing toggles, remember that they should provide immediate results, so be careful to use them when the user needs to update a setting or other information quickly. Color can be an important visual signifier when designing toggles, but it is best to evaluate societal and cultural implications before choosing colors. For example, red may not be a good choice for an on toggle switch because of its ties to stop signs and traffic lights.