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Date picker

Date and time pickers allow users to select a single instance or range of dates and times.

Overview

Date pickers allow users to select past, present, or future dates. The kind of date you are requesting from the user will determine which date picker (simple or calendar) is best to use. A time picker helps users select a specific time. You can customize the time picker’s format depending on location or need.

When to use

  • When asking the user for an exact, approximate, or memorable date or time.
  • For scheduling tasks.

Variants

VariantPurpose
Simple date inputUse if the date can be remembered by the user easily, such as a date of birth, and they don’t need a calendar to anticipate the dates. It consists only of input fields.
Calendar pickerUse a calendar picker (single or range) when the user needs to know a date’s relationship to other days or when a date could be variable. The user can view and pick dates from a calendar widget or manually type them in the text field.
Time pickerUse when asking the user to input a specific time.

Live demo

CodeSandbox React Web Components Angular Vue 


    <DatePicker dateFormat="m/d/Y" datePickerType="simple">

      <DatePickerInput

        id="date-picker-default-id"

        placeholder="mm/dd/yyyy"

        labelText="Date picker label"

        type="text"

      />

    </DatePicker>
DatePicker
Modifiers
DatePickerInput
Modifiers
size

Formatting

Anatomy of date pickers

Default date picker anatomy

Anatomy of a simple date input and a single date calendar picker.

  1. Label: Instructs the user what to do with the control.
  2. Date field: A text input field where the user can manually type in the date.
  3. Date format: Format instructions should appear as helper text below the field or inline with the label.
  4. Icon: calendar icon indicates the calendar menu is available.
  5. Calendar: The menu where a date may be selected.
  6. Month and year controls: Allows the user to navigate through past and future time frames.
  7. Previous and next month controls: Allows the user to move forward or backward one month at a time.
  8. Week day: Days of the week.
  9. Day: Days in the month, see calendar variants for specific day styles.

Anatomy of a time picker

Default time picker anatomy
  1. Label: Instructs the user what to do with the control.
  2. Hour and minute field: A text input field where the user types the hours and minutes of the desired time.
  3. AM/PM selector: A select control that allows the user to choose time period.
  4. Timezone selector: A select control that allows the user to set the associated time zone.

Styling

There are two styles of date picker inputs, default and fluid. They share the same functionality but look visually different, influencing where to use them.

StyleAppearanceUse case
DefaultA traditional style where the label is positioned outside and above the input field.Use when white space is needed between input components or in productive moments where space is at a premium, and smaller components are needed.
FluidAn alternative style where the label is placed inside of the input field and is stacked inline with the user input text.Use in expressive moments, fluid forms, contained spaces, or attached to complex components, like a toolbar.
An example of a default and fluid date picker input

Sizes

Default input heights

The default input fields for date and time picker come in three height sizes: small (32px), medium (40px), and large (48px). The calendar menu in the date picker is a fixed height and width and does not change with the input size.

Default sizeHeight (px/rem)Use case
Small (sm)32 / 2Use when space is constricted or when placing a dropdown in a form that is long and complex.
Medium (md)40 / 2.5This is the default size and the most commonly used size. When in doubt, use the medium size.
Large (lg)48 / 3Use when there is a lot of space to work with. This size is typically used in simple forms or when a dropdown is placed by itself on a page, for example as a filter.
Default input size example

Fluid input heights

There is only one fluid input height and it is visually larger than the default heights. The input is a set height of 64px except when a warning or error message has been added to the bottom.

Fluid input size example

Alignment

By default, the pickers have set widths. If you are placing the picker inline with other inputs, such as in a form, then the widths can be adjusted to match the other inputs. The picker can either increase or decrease in width as needed. If you adjust the size, be aware that pickers have minimum widths and the date content should never horizontally scroll or overflow.

Alignment example

Aligning the calendar menu

The calendar itself will always remain a set width and is not adjustable. It should always be aligned to the left edge of its assigned text field.

Alignment example

Content

Main elements

Label

  • Both date and time pickers must be accompanied with labels.
  • The labels should be clear and descriptive.
  • Range inputs should be being properly labeled with a start and end label.

Date format

  • When using a simple date input, include the date format in parentheses inline with the label or as helper text below the label.
  • When using the calendar picker, the date format will be automated if the user selects from the calendar menu.
  • Only including the date format as placeholder text inside the field is problematic because it will disappear from view once the user begins typing.
Alignment example

Example suggesting the proper date format in helper text on the left or in a label on the right.

  • The date format can be displayed differently depending on your location. For example, some countries use the format month/day/year, while others may change the order to year-month-day and can use dashes instead of slashes. The date picker utilizes flatpickr, which accepts dateFormat and locale props that allow you to change how the date is displayed and lets you change the language of the calendar. Localizing static dates in the same UI is also recommended if you choose to localize your date entries.
Localized dates example

Example of formatting dates with American English format on the left and International Standard format on the right.

Time format

  • Both the 12-hour and 24-hour time systems are allowed.
  • If using the 12-hour format it must be accompanied by an AM/PM selection.
  • Use uppercase letters and no periods for the abbreviations AM and PM.
  • Specific times should specify a timezone.

Further guidance

For further content guidance, see Carbon’s content guidelines.

Universal behaviors

The behaviors listed in this section are universal across all of the variants. For behaviors that are unique to each variant, see each of the component variant sections below.

States

Date picker and calendar menu

The date picker input is a text input and has the same interactive state and behaviors. Only date pickers with calendars will have the calendar icon present in the right side of the input field. See the style tab for more details. For calendar menu states, see the calendar variants section.

Time picker

The time picker is a combination of a text input and select inputs and has the same interactive state and behaviors. See the style tab for more details.

StateWhen to use
EnabledWhen the date or time picker is live, but a user is not directly interacting with it. This is commonly referred to as the default or normal state of the component.
HoverWhen a user’s mouse cursor is hovering over the field.
FocusWhen a user tabs to or clicks into the input, the field becomes focused, indicating the user has successfully navigated to the component.
OpenThe open state is specifically for the calendar menu. When the calendar menu is open, the user can navigate within the menu to select a single date or a range of dates.
ErrorWhen the required field for a text input in the date or time picker component has not been filled in or when a select in the time picker component does not have a selection. It can also be triggered due to a system error. This state requires a user response before data can be submitted or saved.
WarningWhen you need to call the user’s attention to an exception condition. The condition might not be an error but can cause problems if not resolved.
DisabledWhen the user cannot interact with a component and all interactive functions have been removed. Unlike read-only states, disabled states are not focusable, are not read by screen readers, and do not need to pass visual contrast, making them inaccessible if they need to be interpreted.
SkeletonUse on an initial page load to indicate that the date picker or time picker has not yet fully loaded.
Read-onlyWhen the user can review but not modify the component. This state removes all interactive functions like the disabled state but can still be focusable, accessible by screen readers, and passes visual contrast for readability.

Validation

Invalid fields should be clearly marked. In pickers with more than one field, the invalid state should only be set on the individual factor that is triggering the error so the user can clearly understand which to address.

Validation example

Internationalization

Internationalization, also referred to as globalization, refers to software adapting to different languages, regional peculiarities, and technical requirements of a target locale without additional code changes. This means that if the location is known, then formatting of a date or time can automatically change to the acceptable local format. You should always try to design for internationalization.

Simple date input

The simple date input provides the user with only a text field in which they can manually input a date. It allows dates to be entered without adding unnecessary interactions that come with the calendar menu or a dropdown.

The simple date input can include month/year or month/day/year. The formatting may be localized and rearranged in sequence of appearance.

When to use

Use for memorable dates

Simple date inputs are typically used when the date is known by the user, such as a date of birth or credit card expiration.

Use for approximate dates

Simple date inputs are best for when asking the user for an approximate date instead of an exact date, especially in regards to past dates. For example, when was asking a user when a purchase was made they will most likely easily recall the month and year (November 2019) versus the specific date (November 22, 2019).

Simple date input

Calendar pickers

Calendar pickers default to showing today’s date when opened and only one month is shown at a time. Calendar pickers allow users to navigate through months and years, however they work best when used for recent or near future dates. If a user needs to input a far distant or future date consider having the calendar default open to a more convenient day.

Keep in mind that some users may find calendar pickers difficult to use. There should always be a simple way to enter dates in a text field when using calendar pickers.

Use for scheduling

Use a calendar picker when the user needs to know a date’s relation to other days such as the day of the week it falls on or its proximity to today. They are optimal for scheduling tasks.

Calendar variants

Single date picker

In a single date picker a user has the option to either manually input a date in the text field or select one specific date from the menu calendar. It requires a day, month, and year to be selected.

Single date calendar picker
  1. Today’s date
  2. Hover
  3. Day in month
  4. Selected day
  5. Day in next/previous month

Date range picker

The date range picker functions much like the single date picker but instead of choosing just one date the user can choose a start and end date. For each date in the range, users have the option to manually enter the date in a text field or select the date in the calendar. Each point requires a day, month, and year to be selected.

Date range calendar picker
  1. Day in month
  2. Today
  3. Selected start date
  4. Day in range
  5. End date hover and focus
  6. Day in next/previous month

Calendar behaviors

Opening the calendar

The calendar can be opened in two ways:

  • Clicking the calendar icon on the far right of the field opens the calendar menu.
  • When the text field receives focus the calendar menu also appears and remains open until a date is selected or the focus is removed from the picker.

Selecting a date

A date can be selected by:

  • Manually entering a date in the text input field.
  • Clicking on a date in the calendar menu.
  • Navigating to a date by using the Arrow keys and then pressing Enter.

Next and previous month

A user can navigate between the months in a year by:

  • Clicking on chevron icons at the top left and right of the calendar.
  • Using the Arrow keys to move through the into the next or previous month.

Selecting a year

By default the current date and year appears in the calendar. To navigate to another year the user can do one of the following:

  • Manually typing the year in the date text field.
  • Clicking the up and down arrows that appear when you focus or hover on the year input in the calendar.
  • Selecting then typing into the year input.

Closing the calendar

The calendar can be closed in one of the following ways:

  • Selecting a single date or the end date in a range. This will automatically close it.
  • Clicking anywhere outside of the calendar menu.
  • Removing focus from the picker.
  • Pressing Esc.

Selecting a range

There are several ways in which a range can be selected:

  • Manually type the start and end dates in the text field.
  • Once the calendar is open the first date you click becomes the start date and second date you click becomes the end date.
  • Navigating to the start date by using the Arrow keys and pressing Enter. Then continue using the Arrow keys to navigate to a second date and press Enter again.

Min and max dates

In order to constrain the possible selectable dates in a calendar, a min and max date may be set. Once set, only the dates that fall within the min/max range will be selectable with the dates outside of the range being disabled.

Use min and max dates to help prevent user error. If a user cannot select dates in the past when scheduling, then set a min date to today.

Min and max date example

The dates before today are out of range and disabled.

Time pickers

Time pickers provide the user with a text field in which they can input the hour and minutes. Additionally, they can be accompanied by an AM/PM and a time zone control, both styled as selects.

The time field format should include the hour and minutes, for example 11:30. It may be localized to accommodate the 12-hour or 24-hour format.

Use for scheduling

Use the time picker when a specific time needs to be scheduled, such as planning a meeting time.

Time picker example

Related

Asking for relative times and dates

Another common use case not accounted for in the above pickers is setting a time or date relative to today or now, such as with a reminder. For example, setting an install to begin now, in one hour, or tonight. This variant of picker can made by using the standard select component.

Using individual inputs

Another acceptable form of a date experience would be using individual inputs for each factor. Using an individual field for each factor of a date can help reduce formatting errors. This is especially beneficial when localization cannot be used to reformat dates.

Instead of having one input for an exact date (month/day/year), you could have three separate inputs and a clear label for each.

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