When should I use cursor: help?

On terms or icons that reveal an explanation, like an abbreviation with a definition. It promises information, not an action.

Should an info icon use help or pointer?

If clicking the icon opens a popover, use pointer: it is clickable. Use help where simply hovering shows the explanation.

Does cursor: help show a tooltip?

No. It only changes the cursor. You still need a title attribute, a tooltip or a popover.

cursor: help in CSS: the question-mark cursor

cursor: help; Move your mouse over this box Cursors only appear with a mouse or trackpad. Open this page on a computer to see this one.

This is the cursor your browser and system draw for help.

What it shows

Windows draws Help Select (the Help role, aero_helpsel.cur): the arrow with a small question mark. macOS shows its help cursor, also an arrow with a question mark.

Usage

When to use it

Use it for

Abbreviations and jargon with a definition, such as an abbr element with a title, or a glossary term with a popover.
Small info icons whose explanation appears when you hover them.
A 'what is this?' mode in a web app, where people switch it on and then point at things to learn about them.

Avoid it for

On a link to a help article. It is still a link; keep the hand.
When the explanation only appears on hover. Keyboard and touch users never see it, so make it show on focus or tap too.

Code

Copy the snippet

CSS

abbr[title] { cursor: help; }

HTML

<p>Export as <abbr title="Windows cursor file">CUR</abbr> or PNG.</p>

Support

Browsers and systems

Browser support for help
Browser	Support
Chrome	1
Edge	12
Firefox	1
Safari	1.2
Safari on iOS	no
Chrome on Android	18

The matching operating system cursor
System	Matching cursor
Windows role	Help
Windows file	`aero_helpsel.cur`
macOS	Help (arrow with question mark)

Watch out

Gotchas

Browsers give abbr[title] a dotted underline but not the help cursor. You add the cursor yourself.
The title attribute tooltip does not work for keyboard or touch users. Pair the help cursor with a real popover or visible text.

Free cursors

A custom help cursor

The same cursor from each of our packs, free under CC0. Move your mouse over one to try it, or open it for the .cur file, the PNG and the CSS.

FAQ

Questions

When should I use cursor: help?: On terms or icons that reveal an explanation, like an abbreviation with a definition. It promises information, not an action.
Should an info icon use help or pointer?: If clicking the icon opens a popover, use pointer: it is clickable. Use help where simply hovering shows the explanation.
Does cursor: help show a tooltip?: No. It only changes the cursor. You still need a title attribute, a tooltip or a popover.

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