Visual polish · Lesson 2 of 8 · 7 minutes

Visual polish: Focus rings

A separated, visible outline makes the keyboard target identifiable without shifting layout.

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Your objectives

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1
Build focus rings
Build this first target: button:focus-visible with outline: 3px solid #164e45. Keep the selector relationships intact and inspect the preview.
Hint & worked example
A separated, visible outline makes the keyboard target identifiable without shifting layout.
The requested selectors and declarations exist outside comments.
```
button:focus-visible { outline: 3px solid #164e45; }
```
Common mistake to avoid: If the page fits one desktop viewport, no narrower viewport needs checking.
2
Extend the focus rings example
Extend your file to include: button:focus-visible with outline: 3px solid #164e45; button:focus-visible with outline-offset: 4px. Keep the selector relationships intact and inspect the preview.
Hint & worked example
A separated, visible outline makes the keyboard target identifiable without shifting layout.
The requested selectors and declarations exist outside comments.
```
button:focus-visible { outline: 3px solid #164e45; }
button:focus-visible { outline-offset: 4px; }
```
Common mistake to avoid: Hiding all overflow always makes content accessible.
3
Verify the complete focus rings pattern
Finish the pattern with: button:focus-visible with outline: 3px solid #164e45; button:focus-visible with outline-offset: 4px; a:focus-visible with outline: 3px solid #164e45, outline-offset: 4px. Keep the selector relationships intact and inspect the preview.
Hint & worked example
A separated, visible outline makes the keyboard target identifiable without shifting layout.
The requested selectors and declarations exist outside comments.
```
button:focus-visible { outline: 3px solid #164e45; }
button:focus-visible { outline-offset: 4px; }
a:focus-visible { outline: 3px solid #164e45; outline-offset: 4px; }
```
Common mistake to avoid: If the page fits one desktop viewport, no narrower viewport needs checking.

Understand the pattern

A separated, visible outline makes the keyboard target identifiable without shifting layout.

Misconceptions to reject

If the page fits one desktop viewport, no narrower viewport needs checking.
Hiding all overflow always makes content accessible.

The preview is a sanitized subset, not a full browser compatibility test.

Worked example and expected result

button:focus-visible { outline: 3px solid #164e45; }
button:focus-visible { outline-offset: 4px; }
a:focus-visible { outline: 3px solid #164e45; outline-offset: 4px; }

A separated, visible outline makes the keyboard target identifiable without shifting layout.

Try a variation

Adapt the final example to a different project name while retaining its structure and relationships. A different context still needs a real browser and accessibility check.

Explain it

Which statement correctly explains focus rings?A separated, visible outline makes the keyboard target identifiable without shifting layout.If the page fits one desktop viewport, no narrower viewport needs checking.Hiding all overflow always makes content accessible.

Apply it elsewhere

You reuse focus rings in a different project. What must still be verified?Nothing; passing a single exercise guarantees every future use.Only whether the source code has the same number of lines.The resulting layout, focus behavior, and readability at the target viewport sizes.

Keep the momentum.

Complete the lab, then explain and apply the pattern.

Next: Visual polish: Card rhythm Try an incident drill

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