Alert first word is type
alert-first-word-is-type
First word is the type: Informative / Warning / Success / Error / Emergency (or a more precise first word such as “Announcement”). Heading ≤1 line. Extra detail in the body, not a second heading line. Users must not rely on colour or icon alone.
Description
USWDS alert headings begin with the type—Informative, Warning, Success, Error, Emergency, or a more precise first word such as “Announcement”—and stay on one line. Extra detail goes in the body, not a second heading line. Users must not rely on colour or icon alone. Type shown only as icon/colour, or a heading that wraps into detail, fails the pattern.
When to use
Writing USWDS alert headings for informative, warning, success, error, or emergency.
Not when
Toasts or inline field errors that use different heading patterns.
Agent hint
Start the alert heading with the type; keep one line; never rely on color or icon alone.
Heading starts with the type (or a more precise first word), stays on one line, and meaning is not colour/icon-only.
Type is only an icon/colour; heading wraps to a second line of detail.
Citations
USWDS — Alert
https://designsystem.digital.gov/components/alert/