Provide valid values for a form field

Provide valid values for an input field (for example, date or password requirements) in the description and not only in the placeholder.

Also consider whether it is really important that, for example, a date of birth or phone number must meet exact input requirements. If you can reformat the value provided to meet your internal needs, then it should not matter how the user formats the data.

Resources

WCAG Success Criteria for helpful instructions

Helping users to understand better what they need to fill out is necessary to meet the WCAG success criterion 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (Level AA).

Related documentation

• Placeholders
• Input field and description
• Description with a fieldset

Other resources

• NL Design System Guidelines for web forms (Dutch content).