Using React Icons in Forms and UI Controls

Enhance user interfaces by adding icons to buttons, inputs, and form fields. Learn practical implementation patterns and best practices.

In modern frontend development, icons have become a core part of intuitive user experiences. Whether it's a magnifying glass in a search bar or a thumbs-up button in a comment section, icons offer clarity, functionality, and visual flair. In the React ecosystem, one of the most popular libraries for icon usage is react-icons.

This post dives into how you can effectively use React Icons in forms and UI controls, including buttons, input fields, and interactive form elements. You'll also learn best practices, accessibility considerations, and performance tips.

Why Use Icons in Forms and UI Controls?

Before we dive into implementation, let's talk about why adding icons to forms and controls is worth your attention:

• Enhanced clarity: Icons provide quick visual cues. A trash can for delete, or a lock for passwords — no need to read labels.
• Compact design: Icons help reduce the need for excessive text.
• Improved UX: Users can identify actions more quickly with familiar symbols.
• Mobile friendliness: Especially useful in compact mobile views where space is limited.

Getting Started with React Icons

First, you need to install the react-icons package:

You can also use:

React Icons allows you to import only the icons you need from a variety of icon libraries like Font Awesome, Material Design, Feather, and more.

Example import:

1. Icons Inside Input Fields

a) Search Bar with an Icon

Adding a search icon inside a text input is a common pattern. You can either place the icon inside the input or absolutely position it beside it.

Example:

This creates a sleek search bar where the icon is nested within the input for a clean UI.

b) Icon Indicators for Input Type

Icons can reinforce the purpose of a form field — for example, user icons for usernames, or lock icons for passwords.

Example:

This is particularly helpful for login forms, signup pages, or any form that needs extra guidance.

2. Icon Buttons

Buttons with icons are everywhere. Think: submit, delete, upload, download, share — icons make these actions visually self-explanatory.

a) Icon and Text Button

Using display: flex and gap gives spacing between icon and text. You can align it however you want: icon before text or after.

b) Icon-Only Button

Great for compact UI like toolbars, action columns in tables, or mobile designs.

Accessibility Tip: If your button has no text label, make sure to include aria-label to support screen readers.

3. Toggle Controls with Icons

You can also use icons as part of interactive state changes, such as toggling visibility or switching modes.

a) Show/Hide Password Toggle

This UX pattern is user-friendly and expected in most modern forms.

4. Icon-Based Feedback & Validation

Icons can also show form validation feedback — green check for success, red cross for error.

Example:

Position these beside the field or inline with helper text to indicate real-time feedback.

5. Custom Selects and Dropdowns with Icons

Enhancing a select or dropdown control using icons can add visual interest and clarity.

Example:

If you're using custom dropdown components (like react-select), you can pass icons as components within options.

Best Practices for Icons in Forms

• Don't overdo it – Use icons for clarity, not decoration.
• Ensure accessibility – Add aria-label to icon-only buttons and ensure they don't interfere with screen readers.
• Align icons properly – Keep consistent padding/margins for better visual balance.
• Size icons appropriately – Don't make icons overpower text. Usually 16px or 20px works well.
• Use semantic hints – Icons should reinforce the input's purpose, not confuse it.
• Avoid icon font libraries – Use SVG-based libraries (like react-icons) for better accessibility and performance.

Performance Considerations

Using a large number of icons or importing full icon sets can bloat your bundle. Here are some ways to stay efficient:

Import only the icons you use:

• Bundle analysis: Use tools like webpack-bundle-analyzer to monitor icon library impact.
• Use icon sprites or your own SVGs if you're building a high-performance app with tight budget constraints.

Final Thoughts

Icons are more than just eye-candy — they are a powerful UX tool when used thoughtfully. Integrating React Icons into your form inputs, buttons, and UI controls can make your interfaces not only more appealing but also more functional and accessible.

From login forms to complex dashboards, React Icons provides a flexible way to enrich your UI components while keeping the code clean and manageable.

So next time you build a form, ask yourself:

"Can an icon make this clearer or easier to use?"

If the answer is yes, you now know exactly how to do it — React-style.