APG Patterns

Tooltip

A popup that displays information related to an element when the element receives keyboard focus or the mouse hovers over it.

Demo

Accessibility Features

WAI-ARIA Roles

WAI-ARIA States & Properties

aria-describedby

References the tooltip element to provide an accessible description for the trigger element.

Applied to Trigger element (wrapper)
When Only when tooltip is visible
Reference aria-describedby (opens in new tab)

aria-hidden

Indicates whether the tooltip is hidden from assistive technology.

Values true (hidden) | false (visible)
Default true
Reference aria-hidden (opens in new tab)

Keyboard Support

Key Action
Escape Closes the tooltip
Tab Standard focus navigation; tooltip shows when trigger receives focus

Focus Management

  • Tooltip never receives focus - Per APG, tooltips must not be focusable. If interactive content is needed, use a Dialog or Popover pattern instead.
  • Focus triggers display - When the trigger element receives focus, the tooltip appears after the configured delay.
  • Blur hides tooltip - When focus leaves the trigger element, the tooltip is hidden.

Mouse/Pointer Behavior

  • Hover triggers display - Moving the pointer over the trigger shows the tooltip after the delay.
  • Pointer leave hides - Moving the pointer away from the trigger hides the tooltip.

Important Notes

Note: The APG Tooltip pattern is currently marked as "work in progress" by the WAI. This implementation follows the documented guidelines, but the specification may evolve. View APG Tooltip Pattern (opens in new tab)

Visual Design

This implementation follows best practices for tooltip visibility:

  • High contrast - Dark background with light text ensures readability
  • Dark mode support - Colors invert appropriately in dark mode
  • Positioned near trigger - Tooltip appears adjacent to the triggering element
  • Configurable delay - Prevents accidental activation during cursor movement

Source Code

Tooltip.svelte
<script lang="ts" module>
  import type { Snippet } from "svelte";

  export type TooltipPlacement = "top" | "bottom" | "left" | "right";

  export interface TooltipProps {
    /** Tooltip content - can be string or Snippet for rich content */
    content: string | Snippet;
    /** Trigger element - must be a focusable element for keyboard accessibility */
    children?: Snippet<[{ describedBy: string | undefined }]>;
    /** Controlled open state */
    open?: boolean;
    /** Default open state (uncontrolled) */
    defaultOpen?: boolean;
    /** Delay before showing tooltip (ms) */
    delay?: number;
    /** Tooltip placement */
    placement?: TooltipPlacement;
    /**
     * Tooltip ID - Required for SSR/hydration consistency.
     * Must be unique and stable across server and client renders.
     */
    id: string;
    /** Whether the tooltip is disabled */
    disabled?: boolean;
    /** Additional class name for the wrapper */
    class?: string;
    /** Additional class name for the tooltip content */
    tooltipClass?: string;
  }
</script>

<script lang="ts">
  import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
  import { onDestroy } from "svelte";

  let {
    content,
    children,
    open: controlledOpen = undefined,
    defaultOpen = false,
    delay = 300,
    placement = "top",
    id,
    disabled = false,
    class: className = "",
    tooltipClass = "",
    onOpenChange,
  }: TooltipProps & { onOpenChange?: (open: boolean) => void } = $props();

  // Use provided id directly - required for SSR/hydration consistency
  const tooltipId = $derived(id);

  let internalOpen = $state(defaultOpen);
  let timeout: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null;

  let isControlled = $derived(controlledOpen !== undefined);
  let isOpen = $derived(isControlled ? controlledOpen : internalOpen);

  // aria-describedby should always be set when not disabled for screen reader accessibility
  // This ensures SR users know the element has a description even before tooltip is visible
  let describedBy = $derived(!disabled ? tooltipId : undefined);

  function setOpen(value: boolean) {
    if (controlledOpen === undefined) {
      internalOpen = value;
    }
    onOpenChange?.(value);
  }

  function handleKeyDown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
    if (event.key === "Escape") {
      hideTooltip();
    }
  }

  function showTooltip() {
    if (disabled) return;
    if (timeout) {
      clearTimeout(timeout);
    }
    timeout = setTimeout(() => {
      setOpen(true);
    }, delay);
  }

  function hideTooltip() {
    if (timeout) {
      clearTimeout(timeout);
      timeout = null;
    }
    setOpen(false);
  }

  // Manage keydown listener based on isOpen state
  // This handles both controlled and uncontrolled modes
  $effect(() => {
    if (isOpen) {
      document.addEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
    } else {
      document.removeEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
    }
  });

  // Cleanup on destroy - fix for memory leak
  onDestroy(() => {
    if (timeout) {
      clearTimeout(timeout);
      timeout = null;
    }
    document.removeEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
  });

  const placementClasses: Record<TooltipPlacement, string> = {
    top: "bottom-full left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 mb-2",
    bottom: "top-full left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 mt-2",
    left: "right-full top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 mr-2",
    right: "left-full top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 ml-2",
  };
</script>

<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
<span
  class={cn("apg-tooltip-trigger", "relative inline-block", className)}
  onmouseenter={showTooltip}
  onmouseleave={hideTooltip}
  onfocusin={showTooltip}
  onfocusout={hideTooltip}
>
  {#if children}
    {@render children({ describedBy })}
  {/if}
  <span
    id={tooltipId}
    role="tooltip"
    aria-hidden={!isOpen}
    class={cn(
      "apg-tooltip",
      "absolute z-50 px-3 py-1.5 text-sm",
      "bg-gray-900 text-white rounded-md shadow-lg",
      "dark:bg-gray-100 dark:text-gray-900",
      "pointer-events-none whitespace-nowrap",
      "transition-opacity duration-150",
      placementClasses[placement],
      isOpen ? "opacity-100 visible" : "opacity-0 invisible",
      tooltipClass
    )}
  >
    {#if typeof content === "string"}
      {content}
    {:else}
      {@render content()}
    {/if}
  </span>
</span>

Usage

Example
<script>
  import Tooltip from './Tooltip.svelte';
</script>

<!-- Basic usage with render props for aria-describedby -->
<Tooltip
  id="tooltip-save"
  content="Save your changes"
  placement="top"
  delay={300}
>
  {#snippet children({ describedBy })}
    <button aria-describedby={describedBy}>Save</button>
  {/snippet}
</Tooltip>

<!-- Rich content using Snippet -->
<Tooltip id="tooltip-shortcut">
  {#snippet content()}
    <span class="flex items-center gap-1">
      <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>S</kbd>
    </span>
  {/snippet}
  {#snippet children({ describedBy })}
    <button aria-describedby={describedBy}>Keyboard shortcut</button>
  {/snippet}
</Tooltip>

API

Prop Type Default Description
id string - Unique ID for the tooltip (required for SSR/hydration consistency)
content string | Snippet - Tooltip content (required)
children Snippet<[{ describedBy }]> - Render props pattern - receives describedBy for aria-describedby
open boolean - Controlled open state
defaultOpen boolean false Default open state (uncontrolled)
onOpenChange (open: boolean) => void - Callback when open state changes
delay number 300 Delay before showing (ms)
placement 'top' | 'bottom' | 'left' | 'right' 'top' Tooltip position
disabled boolean false Disable the tooltip

Testing

Testing Overview

The Tooltip component tests are organized into priority levels based on APG compliance requirements.

Test Categories

High Priority: APG Core Compliance

Test APG Requirement
role="tooltip" exists Tooltip container must have tooltip role
aria-hidden when closed Hidden tooltips must not be read by AT
aria-describedby when visible Trigger must reference tooltip only when visible
Escape key closes tooltip Keyboard dismissal support
Focus shows tooltip Keyboard accessibility
Blur hides tooltip Focus management

Medium Priority: Accessibility Validation

Test WCAG Requirement
No axe violations (hidden state) WCAG 2.1 AA compliance
No axe violations (visible state) WCAG 2.1 AA compliance
Tooltip is not focusable APG: tooltips must not receive focus

Low Priority: Props & Extensibility

Test Feature
placement prop changes position Positioning customization
disabled prop prevents display Disable functionality
delay prop controls timing Delay customization
id prop sets custom ID SSR/custom ID support
controlled open state External state control
onOpenChange callback State change notification
className inheritance Style customization

Running Tests

# Run all Tooltip tests
npm run test -- tooltip

# Run tests for specific framework
npm run test -- Tooltip.test.tsx    # React
npm run test -- Tooltip.test.vue    # Vue
npm run test -- Tooltip.test.svelte # Svelte
Tooltip.test.svelte.ts
import { render, screen, waitFor } from "@testing-library/svelte";
import userEvent from "@testing-library/user-event";
import { axe } from "jest-axe";
import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
import TooltipTestWrapper from "./test-wrappers/TooltipTestWrapper.svelte";

describe("Tooltip (Svelte)", () => {
  describe("APG: ARIA ๅฑžๆ€ง", () => {
    it('role="tooltip" ใ‚’ๆŒใค', () => {
      render(TooltipTestWrapper, { props: { content: "This is a tooltip" } });
      expect(screen.getByRole("tooltip", { hidden: true })).toBeInTheDocument();
    });

    it("้ž่กจ็คบๆ™‚ใฏ aria-hidden ใŒ true", () => {
      render(TooltipTestWrapper, { props: { content: "This is a tooltip" } });
      const tooltip = screen.getByRole("tooltip", { hidden: true });
      expect(tooltip).toHaveAttribute("aria-hidden", "true");
    });

    it("่กจ็คบๆ™‚ใฏ aria-hidden ใŒ false", async () => {
      const user = userEvent.setup();
      render(TooltipTestWrapper, { props: { content: "This is a tooltip", delay: 0 } });
      const trigger = screen.getByRole("button");

      await user.hover(trigger);
      await waitFor(() => {
        const tooltip = screen.getByRole("tooltip");
        expect(tooltip).toHaveAttribute("aria-hidden", "false");
      });
    });
  });

  describe("APG: ใ‚ญใƒผใƒœใƒผใƒ‰ๆ“ไฝœ", () => {
    it("Escape ใ‚ญใƒผใง้–‰ใ˜ใ‚‹", async () => {
      const user = userEvent.setup();
      render(TooltipTestWrapper, { props: { content: "This is a tooltip", delay: 0 } });
      const trigger = screen.getByRole("button");

      await user.hover(trigger);
      await waitFor(() => {
        expect(screen.getByRole("tooltip")).toHaveAttribute("aria-hidden", "false");
      });

      await user.keyboard("{Escape}");
      await waitFor(() => {
        expect(screen.getByRole("tooltip", { hidden: true })).toHaveAttribute("aria-hidden", "true");
      });
    });

    it("ใƒ•ใ‚ฉใƒผใ‚ซใ‚นใง่กจ็คบใ•ใ‚Œใ‚‹", async () => {
      const user = userEvent.setup();
      render(TooltipTestWrapper, { props: { content: "This is a tooltip", delay: 0 } });

      await user.tab();
      await waitFor(() => {
        expect(screen.getByRole("tooltip")).toHaveAttribute("aria-hidden", "false");
      });
    });
  });

  describe("ใƒ›ใƒใƒผๆ“ไฝœ", () => {
    it("ใƒ›ใƒใƒผใง่กจ็คบใ•ใ‚Œใ‚‹", async () => {
      const user = userEvent.setup();
      render(TooltipTestWrapper, { props: { content: "This is a tooltip", delay: 0 } });

      await user.hover(screen.getByRole("button"));
      await waitFor(() => {
        expect(screen.getByRole("tooltip")).toHaveAttribute("aria-hidden", "false");
      });
    });

    it("ใƒ›ใƒใƒผ่งฃ้™คใง้–‰ใ˜ใ‚‹", async () => {
      const user = userEvent.setup();
      render(TooltipTestWrapper, { props: { content: "This is a tooltip", delay: 0 } });
      const trigger = screen.getByRole("button");

      await user.hover(trigger);
      await waitFor(() => {
        expect(screen.getByRole("tooltip")).toHaveAttribute("aria-hidden", "false");
      });

      await user.unhover(trigger);
      await waitFor(() => {
        expect(screen.getByRole("tooltip", { hidden: true })).toHaveAttribute("aria-hidden", "true");
      });
    });
  });

  describe("ใ‚ขใ‚ฏใ‚ปใ‚ทใƒ“ใƒชใƒ†ใ‚ฃ", () => {
    it("axe ใซใ‚ˆใ‚‹ WCAG 2.1 AA ้•ๅใŒใชใ„", async () => {
      const { container } = render(TooltipTestWrapper, { props: { content: "This is a tooltip" } });
      const results = await axe(container);
      expect(results).toHaveNoViolations();
    });

    it("tooltip ใŒใƒ•ใ‚ฉใƒผใ‚ซใ‚นใ‚’ๅ—ใ‘ๅ–ใ‚‰ใชใ„", () => {
      render(TooltipTestWrapper, { props: { content: "This is a tooltip" } });
      const tooltip = screen.getByRole("tooltip", { hidden: true });
      expect(tooltip).not.toHaveAttribute("tabindex");
    });
  });

  describe("Props", () => {
    it("placement prop ใงไฝ็ฝฎใ‚’ๅค‰ๆ›ดใงใใ‚‹", () => {
      render(TooltipTestWrapper, { props: { content: "Tooltip", placement: "bottom" } });
      const tooltip = screen.getByRole("tooltip", { hidden: true });
      expect(tooltip).toHaveClass("top-full");
    });

    it("disabled ใฎๅ ดๅˆใ€tooltip ใŒ่กจ็คบใ•ใ‚Œใชใ„", async () => {
      const user = userEvent.setup();
      render(TooltipTestWrapper, { props: { content: "Tooltip", delay: 0, disabled: true } });

      await user.hover(screen.getByRole("button"));
      await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 50));
      expect(screen.getByRole("tooltip", { hidden: true })).toHaveAttribute("aria-hidden", "true");
    });

    it("id prop ใงใ‚ซใ‚นใ‚ฟใƒ  ID ใ‚’่จญๅฎšใงใใ‚‹", () => {
      render(TooltipTestWrapper, { props: { content: "Tooltip", id: "custom-tooltip-id" } });
      const tooltip = screen.getByRole("tooltip", { hidden: true });
      expect(tooltip).toHaveAttribute("id", "custom-tooltip-id");
    });
  });
});

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