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Copyright © 2024 by Westpac Banking Corporation. All rights reserved.

The way we communicate errors to our users helps them to recover quickly with less effort.

Errors are frustrating and interrupt the customer experience, so create messages that can help the customer.

When creating error messages, don’t blame the customer and avoid alarming them by saying that something has gone wrong. Instead, explain what happened and help the customer get back on track.

For example:

Do: Enter an email address in the format: name@example.com

Don't: You’ve entered an invalid email


Keep the message jargon-free and avoid technical terms like, ‘validation in progress’ or ‘invalid entry’.

For example:

Do: We couldn’t sign you in. Check your internet connection and try again.

Don't: Network error


Don’t use ‘Uh oh’ or ‘Oops’ as they don’t provide any useful information, and please don’t use please. Rather than being apologetic for every error state, focus on helping customers recover quickly by being direct and specific.

It’s ok to use ‘please’ for the error summary heading, but it doesn’t need to be repeated elsewhere.


Give helpful hints to customers before they attempt to fill in a field.

For example:

Your password should:

  • be 8 characters or longer
  • contain at least 1 number or symbol e.g. !@#%

Error messages should be displayed where the error is located instead of making the customer scroll through the page (especially on a mobile device) to find the corresponding field.

Types of error messages

Blank field errors

If a customer hasn’t filled in a required field, include the name of the field to maximise clarity. Avoid ambiguous error messages that could apply to any field such as ‘Enter a value’ or ‘This field is required’.

Make sure your email address is correct as we will use it to confirm your account
Copyright © 2023 by Westpac Banking Corporation. All rights reserved.Enter an email address in the format: youremail@example.com

Formatting errors

Formatting errors are shown when someone enters information in an unexpected or incorrect way. Phone numbers, email addresses and dates are examples of fields that need specific formatting. In these cases, it’s best to suggest how someone should enter the information.

For example, for an error relating to a phone number:

Copyright © 2023 by Westpac Banking Corporation. All rights reserved.Enter a number in the format: 2135096995, 213-509-6995 or (213) 509-6995

Keep inline error messages brief. There’s no need to include a full stop at the end. If two sentences are required, insert a full stop to separate them, leaving out the full stop at the end.

For example:

Copyright © 2023 by Westpac Banking Corporation. All rights reserved.
Enter an address

Copyright © 2023 by Westpac Banking Corporation. All rights reserved.
We’re currently having technical issues. Try again later

Displaying error messages

In-line errors

On a standard form, error messages should be displayed between label and input. They should be visibly distinct from inputs without errors. This distinction is created with the ⚠ icon, a message in red text, and a red keyline for input fields and selects.

Copyright © 2023 by Westpac Banking Corporation. All rights reserved.Error message goes here if activated

There are some instances where the red keyline is not used, such as radio buttons, check boxes and button groups.

If there is hint text, it can go here
If there is hint text, it can go here
Copyright © 2023 by Westpac Banking Corporation. All rights reserved.If there is an error, it can go here

WHY DISPLAY MESSAGES IN BETWEEN LABEL AND INPUT?

Surfacing the error below the label and above the input gives greater context to the error message. It also assists people who use magnification tools to read the label and an associate error in a natural reading order. This avoids any unnecessary scrolling up and down.

This also helps on mobile devices when tapping into the input opens a virtual keyboard. By placing the error message just above the input, the error message isn’t covered by the keyboard.

Error summary

In addition to in-line error messaging, there should also be a summary of errors displayed at the top of a page that is triggered by selecting the submit button. The summary contains a list of all active errors on the page.

The summary allows screen reader users to understand what they must do to recover from the errors. They can proceed by using the links in the error summary, or tab through the error summary and continue onto the page, flowing naturally down and recovering as they go.

For one-page and multi-page forms, an error summary is the most accessible way of managing errors.

Copyright © 2023 by Westpac Banking Corporation. All rights reserved.
Please fix the 3 errors listed below
  • Select a title
  • Enter your given name
  • Enter your family name

Avoid disabled or ‘greyed out’ buttons

For most people, a disabled button can be confusing and frustrating. To a person relying on assistive technology, a disabled button may not be obvious to them at all. This creates a significant barrier in using a form. It is better to guide a customer through helpful messaging, so they understand what to do next.

ArticlesCopyright © 2023 by Westpac Banking Corporation. All rights reserved.

3.3.1 Error identification (Level A)Copyright © 2023 by Westpac Banking Corporation. All rights reserved. : If an input error is automatically detected, the item that is in error is identified and the error is described to the user in text.

3.3.3 Error Suggestion (Level AA)Copyright © 2023 by Westpac Banking Corporation. All rights reserved. : If an input error is automatically detected and suggestions for correction are known, then the suggestions are provided to the user, unless it would jeopardize the security or purpose of the content.