Spinner
A spinner loops to show active work when no useful completion number exists.
A real example
During a quick search, a small spinner appears in the field. Results or an error replace it.
Main parts
- 01State signal
- 02Human-readable message
- 03Timing or progress
- 04Recovery path
Use it when
Use it for a short wait with unknown timing when you can't predict the content layout.
Do not use it when
Avoid it when progress can be measured or the content shape is known. Explain long waits instead of blocking a full page.
Name used in code
aria-busy + animated indicator Before you ship
Before release, check the page structure, keyboard access, visible focus, contrast, and zoom. Also check loading, empty, error, success, cancel, and reduced-motion states.
Outcome: Use Spinner to solve this user need without losing the current context. User context: During a quick search, a small spinner appears in the field. Results or an error replace it. Recommended pattern: Spinner. Why it fits: Use it for a short wait with unknown timing when you can't predict the content layout. Do not use it when: Avoid it when progress can be measured or the content shape is known. Explain long waits instead of blocking a full page. Product requirements: Define the default, loading, empty, error, success, and recovery states. Keep user input. Give clear feedback after every action. Accessibility and resilience: Use semantic HTML, full keyboard access, and visible focus. Make the layout work when zoomed and support reduced motion. Follow the project’s current rules. Do not add a new UI library unless the project already uses it. Acceptance criteria: The main task works with keyboard only and at 320px width. Focus and status changes are announced. Check loading, failure, retry, cancel, and reduced-motion paths. Evidence and limits (evidence boundary): No single official standard controls the whole term. Its meaning may change across teams, platforms, or frameworks. Unknowns to confirm: Product wording, data source, analytics events, supported devices and languages, and platform limits.
Check this request
Review the current use of Spinner. Definition: A spinner loops to show active work when no useful completion number exists. Release checks: Before release, check the page structure, keyboard access, visible focus, contrast, and zoom. Also check loading, empty, error, success, cancel, and reduced-motion states. Before changing code, report the evidence you found, gaps, severity, and the smallest safe fix.