What it does
Carbon Icons is IBM’s interface-icon library with React components and design guidance. It documents 16, 20, 24 and 32-pixel sizes, color control and accessible labels. The React package is free under Apache 2.0 and installs from the public package registry.
Use an icon in React
Install @carbon/icons-react, import a symbol such as Add and set its size property. The default is 16 pixels. Fill color can come from a CSS class or inline style; supported two-tone symbols expose an inner-path selector for the second color.
Components are decorative by default. Give a meaningful standalone icon an aria-label or aria-labelledby so it can be announced by assistive technology. Carbon’s design guide separately recommends center alignment beside text and a touch target of at least 44 pixels for interactive icons.
Package conditions
Apache 2.0 permits commercial use subject to its licence and notice requirements. The README says the package collects de-identified metrics through IBM Telemetry and links instructions for opting out. That disclosure concerns the package dependency, rather than a paid account or hosted icon service.
Strengths
- Provides named React components with documented size and fill controls.
- Explains decorative defaults and accessible labelling.
Watch out for
- IBM discloses telemetry in the package and provides a separate opt-out procedure.
Best for
- Teams implementing Carbon interfaces in React
- Developers needing documented icon sizing and accessibility behavior
Sources
- Carbon icon design guidelines (Oct 27, 2026)
- Carbon React icon package guide (Oct 27, 2026)
- Carbon Apache 2.0 licence (Oct 27, 2026)