Stack Required Field Notification For Free

In the context of user interaction with website form fields an asterisk means "a required field". In the context of marketing documents it means "see that small text below for contract details". In the context of mathematical equation it can be a convolution operator.

This is one of the most widely-adopted methods to notify the users that a form control is required. A star (asterisk) symbol is provided along with the label. If the label is programmatically associated with form control, then it is accessible to assistive technologies.

Asterisk (*) next to a form control's label usually indicates it as "required". Oftentimes, this asterisk's purpose is then explained somewhere else on the page. Many users (especially screen reader users) may be confused with that, so be sure to make this information is easily accessible.

A red asterisk means that the field is "required" and you won't be able to submit the form without filling that field.

Asterisk (*) next to a form control's label usually indicates it as "required". Oftentimes, this asterisk's purpose is then explained somewhere else on the page. Many users (especially screen reader users) may be confused with that, so be sure to make this information is easily accessible.

You can use either asterisks or visual indicators to mark the required fields. As a UX Designer, I always recommend marking all required form fields as required, unless there is a specific reason not to.

Best Practice Required fields should be indicated with either a symbol or text, not just color. When providing an indicator for a required field, it should be placed right before the form field. This allows a screen reader to read the indicator to a screen reader user right before the user activates the field.