Navigation / The visual dictionary

Nested menu.

A menu whose items can open another level of commands or destinations.

Also calledsubmenucascading menu

See it in context

UI illustration

What it is

A menu whose items can open another level of commands or destinations. Indicate items that open submenus and support predictable pointer and keyboard movement between levels.

When to use it

Use it to organize related commands without placing every command in one list.

Know the difference

A nested menu opens another menu; a tree keeps expanded hierarchy within one persistent region.

Across platforms

WebmacOSWindowsLinux

Web · macOS · Windows · Linux

Desktop menus commonly open sideways; touch interfaces may replace cascading levels with sequential panels.

Go to the source

Primary documentation for the pattern and its platform conventions.

Material Design — Understanding navigation

FROM NAME TO NEXT BUILD

Put it into words.

Choose a device and an effect, then copy the whole description.

Building forAnimation effectBrowse the effect library

Create a nested menu. Indicate items that open submenus and support predictable pointer and keyboard movement between levels. Use it to organize related commands without placing every command in one list. Make it responsive and accessible, and follow the selected platform's interaction conventions.

Your copied description includes the component, device context, and selected animation timing.

See it in context

What it is

When to use it

Know the difference

Across platforms

Web · macOS · Windows · Linux

Go to the source

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