SagUI

Tooltip

Short supporting text for unfamiliar controls.

import { Tooltip } from "@sagui/ui";
Markdown
Loading demo

When to use

  • One-line labels on icon-only buttons in toolbars.
  • Revealing the full text of truncated labels on hover or focus.
  • Dense toolbars where moving between icons should show labels instantly after the first one.

When not to use

  • Use popover for anything with links or controls inside.
  • Use hover-card for rich previews such as a person or link.
  • Avoid it for information people must see on touch devices, where hover does not exist.

Installation

Install the package and import the styles once. The installation guide covers the Tailwind setup.

$ npm install @sagui/ui

Usage

example.tsx
import { Tooltip } from "@sagui/ui";

export function ArchiveButton() {
  return (
    <Tooltip content="Archive">
      <button type="button" aria-label="Archive">
        <ArchiveIcon />
      </button>
    </Tooltip>
  );
}

Examples

Sides

Loading demo

On an icon button

Loading demo

Text that changes while open

Strings crossfade and the bubble springs to its new size.

Loading demo

API reference

Tooltip

A short label on hover or focus that opens without delay when moving between tooltips.

Prop Type Default Description
content (required) ReactNode – Tooltip content. Strings and numbers crossfade and resize when they change while open.
children (required) ReactElement – The trigger. Rendered with asChild, so it must accept a ref and be focusable.
side "top" | "bottom" | "left" | "right" "top" Preferred side of the trigger. It flips when there is no room.
className string – Added to the tooltip content.

Keyboard interactions

Keys Action
Tab Focusing the trigger opens the tooltip.
Escape Closes the tooltip.

Accessibility

  • Radix links the content to the trigger with aria-describedby and renders role="tooltip".
  • Content is supplemental: icon-only triggers still need their own aria-label.
  • Do not put interactive elements inside; use popover instead.

Motion

  • Opens after 250ms with a 3px rise from 0.97 scale; within 300ms of another tooltip it opens instantly with a fade only.
  • Changing string content rises in with a blur while the bubble springs to the new size.
  • Reduced motion removes the transform and keeps a 90ms opacity fade.

Responsive behavior

  • The bubble caps at 15rem and wraps longer text; Radix flips it to the other side near viewport edges.
  • It opens on hover and keyboard focus, so touch users rarely see it; never hide essential information in one.

Performance

  • Each tooltip brings its own provider and mounts content in a portal only while open.
  • A ResizeObserver measures the text only to spring the bubble size when content changes while open.

Notes

  • Use for one-line labels on icon buttons and truncated text. Use hover-card for rich previews and popover for anything interactive.
  • Each Tooltip brings its own provider; no app-level wrapper is needed.

Also in overlays