What it does
The NHS Design System combines principles, styles, components and patterns for public and staff health services. It includes coded examples for prototypes and live applications, alongside content and accessibility guidance. NHS.UK Frontend code is MIT-licensed, while the written guidance uses Open Government Licence v3.0.
The NHS Design System connects reusable controls with the wider NHS digital service manual. Styles, Components and Patterns sit alongside content and accessibility guidance, with separate links for prototyping and production.
Choose Production code to add the NHS.UK frontend library. The recommended npm installation supports selective CSS and JavaScript imports, build customization and Nunjucks templates. A compiled-file download provides a simpler full-library inclusion, with fewer customization options.
On component pages, HTML and Nunjucks tabs expose copyable examples. Macro options specify details such as button text, variants and preventing double submission. Nunjucks generates the HTML for a component; options containing HTML need sanitizing before production use.
Use Check your frontend version before copying examples, since pages identify the release they require. The code and sample code use MIT unless otherwise stated, and written guidance uses the Open Government Licence. No account is needed to browse the manual or read the setup instructions.
Strengths
- Component examples include copyable HTML and Nunjucks options
- Version labels help match examples to the installed frontend
- The wider manual covers content and accessibility alongside design
Watch out for
- Compiled downloads omit selective imports and Nunjucks templates
- Example code and macro setup must match the installed frontend version
Best for
- Teams building NHS public and staff digital services
Sources
- NHS Design System (Oct 27, 2026)
- NHS Design System production code (Oct 27, 2026)
- NHS.UK Frontend repository (Oct 27, 2026)