# Core/HelperText - Design

Helper text for inputs.

:::warning

Prefer Capra field components—such as `TextField`, `NumberField`, `PasswordField`, `TextArea`, `DatePicker`, `DateRangePicker`, or `AutocompleteField`—which
include helper text in the standard field layout. Use standalone `HelperText` only when you are building a
custom field or a layout that those components do not cover.

:::

## Accessibility

### Error and warning content

For `appearance="danger"`, the helper region uses `role="alert"` so critical validation
messages are exposed promptly to assistive technologies. Warning and default appearances do not use `alert`;
ensure critical errors use `danger` when this behavior is desired.

### Live regions

When `countText` is present, it is wrapped with `aria-live="polite"` so changes (for example
remaining characters) are announced without interrupting the user.

### Relationship to the field

For custom compositions, associate helper copy with the control using `aria-describedby` on the input
pointing at an `id` on the helper element, or use patterns documented on the field component you wrap.
Capra built-in fields handle these relationships when you pass their `helperText` props.