20 Accordion UI Examples and Best Practices for Better UX

Have you ever clicked a section on a website and watched it expand to reveal more information? That’s accordion UI in action: a digital filing cabinet that keeps interfaces compact yet informative. 

When designed well, accordions save space, improve focus, and enhance mobile usability. But a poorly implemented one? It can hide key content, confuse users, and turn a simple interaction into an unnecessary click-fest.

We at Eleken work with accordion patterns all the time. Our designers know what works and doesn’t, as well as how to make accordions that enhance UX rather than frustrate users.

In this guide, we’ll break down best practices, showcase 20 real-world examples, and share UI kits, templates, and code snippet resources to help you create better accordion UIs.

And if you want to go even deeper into design systems as a secret weapon for complex products, check out this video:

Accordion UI best practices

Accordions are go-to UI patterns for organizing content, but they’re often confused with wizard UIs. While both break information into sections, they serve different purposes.

A wizard UI guides users through a step-by-step process, reducing errors and making tasks more manageable. An accordion UI, on the other hand, lets users expand and collapse sections freely, keeping content accessible without overwhelming the screen.

For example, we implemented both patterns with Kipsi, a technology platform for accounting, consulting, and specialty law firms. The Questionnaire section uses a wizard-style UI for step-by-step progression, while the sidebar settings follow an accordion format for easier navigation.

To design an effective accordion, it’s important to know when it works best and when it doesn’t.

When to use an accordion

Think of an accordion UI as a helpful librarian. It keeps information organized and within reach. Here are the best use cases for an accordion UI:

• When users don’t need all the content at once.
• When information is divided into logical sections.
• When saving space is crucial, especially on mobile.

Eleken designers often use accordion UIs to improve UX. For example, on our website, we implemented an accordion for the FAQ section to help visitors find answers quickly without sifting through long blocks of text. 

We also use them in SaaS dashboards, onboarding flows, and pricing pages to keep interfaces clean and intuitive. Well-designed accordions guide users to the right information without friction, and that’s exactly what we focus on in our work.

When not to use an accordion

Not every piece of content needs to play hide-and-seek. While accordions are great for organizing information, they can backfire when users need to see everything simultaneously. If someone has to open and close sections to complete a task constantly, the accordion adds extra work.

Avoid using an accordion when:

• Users frequently access all sections, just showing everything at once.
• Hiding content makes navigation harder instead of easier.
• Excessive clicking slows users down rather than helping them scan quickly.

At Eleken, we often recommend alternative UI patterns, such as a well-structured list UI design, when content needs to be easily scannable rather than hidden behind clicks. For example, we used a simple list UI instead of an accordion to make navigation effortless for the Process Enablement Platform.

Best practices for designing accordions

If your accordion makes users work harder instead of smarter, it’s time to redesign. So, how do you get it right? Here’s what you can do:

• Use clear, concise labels for accordion headings. Users shouldn’t have to guess what’s inside. Make it obvious.
• Use intuitive icons. A downward arrow (⬇) says "expand," and an upward one (⬆) says "collapse." Simple, but surprisingly often overlooked.
• Give users control. Sometimes, users need to open multiple sections at once. If your accordion forces one section to close when another opens, ensure it’s clear.
• Highlight essential content. Consider expanding key sections by default so users don’t miss important info.
• Add an "Expand All/Collapse All" button. This would be especially useful for long lists, as nobody likes endless clicking.
• Use smooth animations (around 300ms, ease-in-out) to make transitions natural without slowing down.
• Design for mobile and accessibility. Use ARIA roles for screen readers, enable keyboard navigation, and ensure tap targets are at least 44px wide for touch users. After all, great screen design aims to create intuitive, functional, and user-friendly interfaces for everyone.

Now, let’s dive deep into accordion web design examples.

20 best accordion UI examples

A great accordion perfectly balances clarity, usability, and aesthetics. Below are real-world examples, grouped by use case, that show how to get it right.

Best accordion UIs for FAQs

A well-designed FAQ accordion reduces cognitive load, prevents information overload, and helps users find answers quickly. Here are some companies that nailed it:

1. Stripe: Minimalist design with smooth animations.

Stripe’s Support accordion uses a clean, minimalist layout that prioritizes clarity. When users click to expand a section, the transition is quick and fluid, making interactions natural without causing delays. Clear headings and generous spacing keep the content easy to scan, perfectly matching Stripe’s overall design aesthetic.

2. Apple Support: Strong visual hierarchy and clear section labels.

Apple Support’s FAQ accordion follows a well-structured, user-friendly design that makes finding answers effortless. Each section is clearly labeled with bold, easy-to-read headings, ensuring users can quickly scan for relevant topics. The accordion expands smoothly, maintaining a strong visual hierarchy that keeps the interface clean and organized. Subtle dividers and consistent spacing improve readability, while Apple’s signature minimalist aesthetic ensures a distraction-free experience.

3. Notion Help Center: Nested accordions for deep content.

Notion’s Help Center uses nested accordions to simplify complex topics and keep navigation easy. The primary sections expand to reveal subcategories, keeping the interface clean and structured. This approach is beneficial for deep content, where users might need multiple layers of information. The minimal design, with attractive graphics and clear typography, ensures a smooth and intuitive browsing experience.

4. Webflow University: Expandable details with excellent typography.

Webflow University’s FAQ accordion is designed for clarity and readability. It combines well-structured, expandable sections with excellent typography. The headings use a bold, modern font that stands out, making it easy to scan topics. When expanded, the content is neatly formatted with a clear hierarchy and ample spacing, ensuring a smooth reading experience.

5. Google Support: Simple, effective, and easy to scan.

Google Support’s FAQ accordion follows a no-frills, highly functional design that prioritizes usability. The layout is clean and structured, with clear section labels that make scanning effortless. When expanded, each section reveals concise, well-formatted content, ensuring users quickly find the answers they need. The accordion uses smooth yet fast animations, keeping interactions seamless while maintaining Google's signature minimalist aesthetic.

Best accordions for pricing tables

Pricing tables can get cluttered fast. Features, plans, comparisons, fine print… It’s a lot to process. A well-designed accordion makes this information easier to digest and lets users expand only the necessary details.

Here are some companies that perfected accordion UIs in their pricing tables:

6. Spotify: Expands to show detailed plan comparisons.

Spotify's pricing table keeps things simple while offering detailed comparisons when needed. At first glance, users see an overview of available plans. Clicking on a plan expands additional details, such as features, family-sharing options, and student discounts. This approach reduces clutter while ensuring users can access in-depth information without leaving the page.

7. Netflix: Clean, collapsible sections for pricing tiers.

Netflix uses an accordion UI in its Help Center and pricing pages to keep information structured and easy to browse. For pricing, Netflix has tested accordion-style layouts where users can expand plan details to compare features like video quality and supported devices, etc.

8. Dropbox: Well-structured pricing with clear CTAs.

Dropbox presents its pricing plans clearly and structured. Each plan expands to reveal detailed features to help users compare options without cluttering the page. The design includes prominent call-to-action (CTA) buttons, ensuring users will quickly select or upgrade their plan. A smooth, clean grid layout enhances readability, keeping the experience intuitive and user-friendly.

9. Figma: Uses accordions to break down feature details.

Figma’s pricing page organizes feature details within each plan. Instead of listing everything upfront, key features are grouped into collapsible sections that expand when needed. This keeps the interface clean and scannable, ensuring users can quickly find relevant details without clutter.

10. Adobe Creative Cloud: Organizes add-ons within expandable sections.

Adobe Creative Cloud pricing page is easy to navigate. Each plan is presented in a collapsible accordion UI design. A key advantage of this design is how Adobe organizes add-ons within expandable sections, making it easy for users to see optional services like extra storage or premium fonts.

Best accordions for dashboards and settings

Dashboards, settings, and user onboarding often pack in a lot of information. Accordion UIs simplify navigation by grouping related options into collapsible sections. Here are some accordion menu examples:

11. Slack: Sidebar settings in an accordion format. 

The Slack accordion menu sections expand only when selected, reducing visual clutter and helping users focus on what matters.

A small but thoughtful detail? The use of right-pointing arrows. While they suggest horizontal movement, the sections expand vertically between category titles, an intentional design choice that guides users through smooth navigation.

But Slack’s attention to UX doesn’t stop there. Enter Slackbot, an AI-driven chatbot designed for conversational UI. It helps users set up preferences, troubleshoot issues, or automate tasks without digging through menus. Slackbot showcases how a well-integrated chatbot UI can simplify complex interactions and make onboarding feel effortless.

Slack’s accordion UI and chatbot UI work hand-in-hand, creating a flexible, user-centered experience that keeps workflows smooth and navigation simple.

12. Google Analytics: Expandable reports for streamlined navigation.

Google Analytics uses an accordion UI in its sidebar navigation to organize reports efficiently. Instead of displaying all options, categories like Acquisition, Engagement, and Monetization expand only when clicked, keeping the interface clean. The accordion UX design offers quick access to key insights while maintaining a structured, easy-to-navigate layout.

13. Trello: Accordions to filter and sort dashboards. 

Trello’s accordion UI helps users filter and sort dashboards. In the sidebar, expandable sections organize options like labels, due dates, and members, making it easy to refine views. The filter UX is smooth, with quick transitions that keep interactions seamless. Users can toggle settings efficiently while maintaining focus on their workflow.

14. Asana: Groups project settings into collapsible sections.

Asana keeps its project settings options structured and easily managed. Sections like Permissions, Integrations, and Notifications are collapsible, allowing users to expand only the necessary settings.

15. Notion: Keeps the interface clean with expandable sidebar options.

Notion's sidebar sections expand only when needed, allowing users to focus on relevant content. This design makes it easy to manage pages without unnecessary distractions.

Best accordions in forms and navigation

Filling out forms isn’t exactly fun, yet they’re essential in almost every digital product. A well-executed form design uses accordion UIs to break long forms into manageable sections, improving readability and reducing cognitive load.

Here are some examples of accordion UIs that enhance form usability and navigation:

16. Amazon Checkout: Collapsible order summary for a clean checkout process.

Amazon's order summary section is collapsible, allowing users to review items, pricing, and delivery details without overwhelming the page. The clean and focused checkout process ensures a smooth purchasing experience while giving users access to key information when needed.

17. Etsy Filters: Mobile-friendly accordion for filtering search results.

Etsy accordion UI in its search filters helps enhance the shopping experience, especially on mobile. Categories are collapsible instead of endless filtering options, while card UI keeps the interface clean. Expanding a section reveals detailed options, allowing users to refine their search without unnecessary scrolling.

18. Airbnb Search Filters: Organized and detailed search refinements.

Airbnb helps users refine their stay preferences without cluttering the interface. Filters like price range, amenities, property type, and cancellation policies are neatly grouped into collapsible sections. The accordion design is especially effective on mobile, where space is limited, but detailed filtering is essential.

19. LinkedIn Job Search: Advanced job search filters.

LinkedIn’s job search fields, such as My interests, My qualifications, and My verifications, are collapsible, keeping the interface clean. Input fields are key, and LinkedIn ensures they are intuitive, easy to fill, and responsive.

20. Facebook Ad Manager: Collapsible campaign settings for better organization.

Key sections like audience targeting, ad placements, and management are grouped into collapsible panels, helping users focus on one task at a time without cluttering the interface. This structure simplifies complex workflows, making it easier for advertisers to fine-tune their campaigns while keeping the dashboard clean and efficient.

Each of these examples demonstrates how a well-structured accordion can improve UX. In the next section, we’ll look at resources and tools to help you build your own.

Accordion UI design resources

Building an excellent accordion UI doesn’t mean starting from scratch. There are plenty of UI kits, templates, and code snippets that can save you time and ensure a polished design.

Free UI kits and templates

Using pre-built components saves time and helps you avoid common design pitfalls (because who hasn’t accidentally broken a layout at 2 AM?). Luckily, there are plenty of resources to get you started fast:

• Figma Accordion UI Kits. Pre-designed components that make prototyping a breeze. Just drag, drop, and customize. No need to spend hours tweaking layers or reinventing the wheel.

• Webflow and Tailwind CSS Components.  If you’re more hands-on with code, these ready-to-use accordion components are perfect for web projects. Accordion web design is flexible, responsive, and won’t break under pressure (unlike that coffee-fueled 3 AM coding session).

Code snippets and examples

If you’re more into coding your own accordion (or just love the satisfaction of seeing it work), here are some ready-to-use code snippets covering everything from simple builds to fancy animations:

• Basic HTML + CSS + JS Accordion. A no-frills, lightweight starting point that’s easy to customize. Perfect if you want something simple and fast without too many bells and whistles.

• Accessible Accordion with ARIA Roles. Accessibility isn’t optional. The accessibility patterns and code snippets ensure your accordion plays nicely with screen readers and meets WCAG standards.

• GSAP-Animated Accordion.  Want buttery-smooth animations that make your accordion feel top-shelf? GSAP’s got your back. Perfect for projects where the little details really matter.

At Eleken, we’re all about clean code and thoughtful accordion UX. Sometimes, a lightweight accordion does the job perfectly; other times, we go the extra mile with smooth animations for that polished feel. It all depends on the project’s needs.

For example, we used an accordion website design to clearly explain what we do and help users compare our services with outsourcing, classic agencies, dedicated teams, freelancers, and in-house designers.

Tools for testing and optimization

A clunky interaction or an overlooked accessibility issue can quickly turn a good design into a frustrating one. That’s where testing and fine-tuning come in. These tools will make sure your UI accordion works seamlessly for everyone:

• WebAIM. Accessibility is non-negotiable. WebAIM helps spot issues like missing ARIA roles or poor contrast so your accordion works for all users, including those using screen readers.
• Axe DevTools. WCAG compliance? Checked. Axe DevTools digs deeper into accessibility standards, helping you fix potential blockers before they frustrate users (or raise legal concerns).
• Framer Motion. Want that accordion to open and close like butter? Framer Motion lets you craft high-performance animations that feel premium without tanking your site’s speed.

Using these resources, you can design functional and visually appealing accordions. Now, let’s wrap up with some key takeaways.

Making accordion UIs work for you

A well-designed accordion UI is both a space-saver and a navigation hero. It helps users find what they need, keeps interfaces clean, and makes even content-heavy pages feel light. However, it can also become a click-fest of frustration, hiding key info and leaving users wondering why they even bothered.

The secret? Knowing when to use an accordion and following a few golden rules, such as clear labels, intuitive icons, smooth animations, and solid accessibility. 

The 20 accordion website examples we covered prove that accordions can seriously boost UX when done right. And with the resources we shared, you’re not starting from square one.

Are you looking to create a clean, functional accordion UI for your product? At Eleken, we craft user-friendly, results-driven designs that simplify complex things. Contact us today to develop interfaces people enjoy using.

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