A toggle is a user interface component that allows people to manage the state of a view, a setting, or other types of information. When used correctly, toggles provide direct labels, use standard visual design, and deliver immediate results. However, they’re not the best choice for every type of interaction and should be reserved for when the user needs to update their preferences or settings. When you need to control a larger set of information or offer multiple options, consider using a checkbox instead of a toggle.

In software, toggles typically come in the form of a Boolean variable that represents either a true or false state. Using toggles in your program lets you change the value of a variable at any time—which can have many benefits. For example, toggles are an effective way to display the current status of an object or process in your application, which can help users troubleshoot problems. Toggles can also be used to enable and disable features. Toggle switches are often used on mobile devices, where space is limited, to help save screen real estate and improve user experience.

Toggles are ideal for changing settings and preferences (i.e. states of system functionalities). They’re also the preferred control to use for adjusting settings on mobile devices because they take less space than two radio buttons.

Use a toggle to show a “yes” or “no” answer if you need to ask users if they want to change an option. For example, a toggle can allow users to switch Airplane Mode on or off. However, toggles should be avoided if you need to present a list of choices because they require more screen space than a checkbox.

Deploy feature toggles strategically. Keep the number of toggles in your product low, and ensure there is a clear process for vetting whether or not they are the best solution for a given problem. Ultimately, more toggles increase the complexity of your codebase and introduce additional management overhead for your team.

When deploying a toggle, always provide a clear label that communicates the function of the toggle and its default state. For example, a toggle might read “Airplane mode” or “No cookies.” You should also ensure that your toggle has a distinctive interface icon and changes its appearance depending on its state. If you have a long form that requires a user to click a Save or Confirm button to apply the toggle’s new state, consider replacing it with a checkbox.

Toggles are a great tool to deploy in experiments and A/B tests. You can use them to split a cohort into different groups and then measure which toggle route delivers the most impact. For example, an ecommerce company might add an experiment toggle to a configurator that displays two different suggestion algorithms to test which is more effective for new customers. Once you have definitive data, you can remove the toggle and roll out the winning algorithm to all users.