Concept cluster

Choices and binary states

Compare an independent form choice, one exclusive choice in a group, and an immediately applied setting.

Which one to choose

Is this an independent value, one exclusive grouped choice, or an immediate setting?

Checkbox: Checkbox represents an independent checked choice; Radio group enforces one choice, while Switch expresses an on or off state. Commit timing is product policy, not the semantic distinction.
Radio group: Radio group permits exactly one choice; Checkbox choices are independent, while Switch expresses one on or off setting.
Switch: Switch expresses one setting as on or off; Checkbox exposes an independent checked choice, and Radio group chooses one value among alternatives. Any save timing is product policy.

Try it

Choices and binary states

Compare all three behaviors

Shared comparison scenario: A settings flow asks the user to make a choice and understand whether it is independent, exclusive, or applied immediately.

This context stays fixed. Switch concepts to observe the mission, edge case, and specimen specific to each behavior.

Checkbox

Checkbox represents an independent checked choice; Radio group enforces one choice, while Switch expresses an on or off state. Commit timing is product policy, not the semantic distinction.

Your task

Toggle two preferences with Space, then use the parent checkbox to demonstrate the mixed state.

Edge case to verify

The Select all parent becomes indeterminate when only some child choices are checked.

Mission

Checkbox

Toggle two preferences with Space, then use the parent checkbox to demonstrate the mixed state.

Primary state: Each labeled option exposes its own checked state and can be submitted with the form.

Information preferencesSelect all

Product updatesMonthly tips

None

Parts of the specimen

Select a numbered marker on the schematic, or use the list below, to see its role. The schematic shows the concept's representative state.

Control

The interactive element that receives input and exposes state.

The three concepts

ConceptCheckboxAn independent binary choice that can be checked, unchecked, or sometimes indeterminate.Open ConceptRadio groupA named set of mutually exclusive choices where selecting one option clears the previous selection.Open ConceptSwitchA binary control that exposes a setting as on or off.Open

The three comparisons

ComparisonCheckbox vs Radio group ComparisonCheckbox vs Switch ComparisonRadio group vs Switch

Signals you are confusing them

These descriptions fit every concept in the cluster, so none of them is enough to decide.

a control represents a selected unselected or on off state
the choice may be independent exclusive within a group or applied immediately

Other concept clusters

Concept clusterSmall contextual surfaces Concept clusterModal surfaces Concept clusterEdge-attached surfaces Concept clusterChoose from a list Concept clusterChange view or reveal content Concept clusterInform the user Concept clusterWait and track progress Concept clusterTrigger or navigate Concept clusterEnter text

Which one to choose

Is this an independent value, one exclusive grouped choice, or an immediate setting?

Checkbox: Checkbox represents an independent checked choice; Radio group enforces one choice, while Switch expresses an on or off state. Commit timing is product policy, not the semantic distinction.
Radio group: Radio group permits exactly one choice; Checkbox choices are independent, while Switch expresses one on or off setting.
Switch: Switch expresses one setting as on or off; Checkbox exposes an independent checked choice, and Radio group chooses one value among alternatives. Any save timing is product policy.