---
title: Accordion Item
order: 10
---

# Accordion Item

A collapsible content container that uses the native HTML `<details>` element to provide expand/collapse functionality. The accordion item is the fundamental building block for creating progressive disclosure interfaces with optimal accessibility and performance.

## Overview

The Accordion Item component provides a single collapsible section that can contain any type of content. Built on semantic HTML with the `<details>` and `<summary>` elements, it offers native keyboard support, screen reader compatibility, and smooth visual transitions. Each item can be used independently or combined into accordion groups.

## Features

- **Native HTML Semantics**: Uses `<details>` element for built-in behavior
- **Keyboard Accessible**: Full keyboard navigation support out of the box
- **Screen Reader Friendly**: Proper ARIA semantics and announcements
- **Smooth Animations**: CSS transitions for expand/collapse states
- **Flexible Content**: Supports any content type in the collapsible area
- **Independent Operation**: Works standalone or in groups
- **Focus Management**: Clear focus indicators and logical tab order

## Structure

The component consists of:
1. **Details Container**: `<details>` - Main collapsible wrapper
2. **Summary Header**: `<summary>` - Clickable header with title and icon
3. **Content Area**: `.accordion-content` - Collapsible content container
4. **Toggle Icon**: `.icon` - Visual indicator for expand/collapse state

## Data Structure

```json
{
    "accordion-item": {
        "title": "Payment Methods",
        "content": "<p>We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers.</p>",
        "open": false
    }
}
```

### Rich Content Example

```json
{
    "accordion-item": {
        "title": "Technical Specifications",
        "content": "<div class='spec-grid'><div class='spec-item'><strong>Storage:</strong> 256GB SSD</div><div class='spec-item'><strong>Memory:</strong> 16GB RAM</div></div>",
        "open": true
    }
}
```

## CSS Classes

- `.hoo-accordion-item`: Main details container
- `.hoo-accordion-summary`: Clickable header area
- `.accordion-title`: Title text container
- `.accordion-content`: Collapsible content area
- `.icon`: Toggle icon (usually arrow)
- `.hoo-icon-arrow-down`: Default closed state icon

## Styling

### Visual Design
- **Header Height**: 48px minimum touch target
- **Padding**: 16px horizontal, 12px vertical
- **Border**: 1px solid border with subtle separator
- **Typography**: 14px font size, medium weight for title
- **Icon**: 16px chevron with smooth rotation transition

### Interactive States
- **Default**: Clean header with subtle border
- **Hover**: Light background color change
- **Focus**: Blue focus outline following accessibility guidelines
- **Active**: Slight background darkening on click
- **Open**: Icon rotation 180° with content expansion

### Animation
- **Icon Rotation**: 200ms ease-in-out transition
- **Content Expansion**: Smooth height transition
- **Hover Effects**: 150ms transition for background changes

## Use Cases

### FAQ Sections
```handlebars
<section class="faq-section">
    <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
    {{#each faq-items}}
    {{> molecules-accordion-item accordion-item=this}}
    {{/each}}
</section>
```

### Settings Panels
```handlebars
<div class="settings-panel">
    <h3>Account Settings</h3>
    {{> molecules-accordion-item}}
</div>
```

### Product Information
```handlebars
<div class="product-details">
    {{#each product-sections}}
    {{> molecules-accordion-item accordion-item=this}}
    {{/each}}
</div>
```

### Help Documentation
```handlebars
<div class="help-docs">
    <h2>Help Topics</h2>
    {{#each help-topics}}
    {{> molecules-accordion-item accordion-item=this}}
    {{/each}}
</div>
```

## Accessibility

- **Semantic HTML**: Uses native `<details>` and `<summary>` elements
- **Keyboard Navigation**: Space and Enter keys toggle expansion
- **Screen Reader Support**: Proper announcements of expand/collapse states
- **Focus Management**: Clear focus indicators and logical tab sequence
- **ARIA Labels**: Automatic ARIA expanded states from native element
- **High Contrast**: Focus and interactive states visible in high contrast mode

## Keyboard Interactions

- **Tab**: Navigate to accordion item
- **Space/Enter**: Toggle expand/collapse
- **Tab (within)**: Navigate through content when expanded
- **Shift+Tab**: Navigate backwards through interface

## Content Guidelines

### Title Text
- **Concise Descriptions**: Use clear, descriptive titles
- **Action-Oriented**: Suggest what users will find inside
- **Scannable**: Keep titles short enough to scan quickly
- **Consistent Structure**: Use parallel structure across items

### Content Organization
- **Logical Grouping**: Group related information together
- **Progressive Disclosure**: Start with most important information
- **Scannable Format**: Use headers, lists, and formatting for clarity
- **Appropriate Length**: Balance detail with usability

## Performance

- **Native Implementation**: Leverages browser optimizations for `<details>`
- **CSS-Only Animation**: No JavaScript required for basic functionality
- **Efficient Rendering**: Content hidden in DOM but not rendered when closed
- **Minimal Overhead**: Lightweight CSS with no JavaScript dependencies

## Browser Support

- **Modern Browsers**: Full support in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- **Details Element**: Excellent support in all modern browsers
- **Graceful Degradation**: Falls back to always-expanded content
- **Screen Readers**: Excellent support in NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver

## SCSS Files

**Styles:**
- `lib/sass/molecules/accordion.scss`

## Best Practices

### Design Guidelines
- **Consistent Styling**: Maintain visual consistency across items
- **Clear Hierarchy**: Use appropriate heading levels in content
- **Logical Grouping**: Group related accordion items together
- **Content Preview**: Consider including preview text in titles