Stepper
An ambiguous term used for two different controls: a numeric +/- input, or a multi-step progress indicator.
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Apple HIG uses 'stepper' for a small +/- control that increments a numeric value (quantity selectors, font size pickers). Material Design uses 'stepper' for a horizontal or vertical progress indicator that shows the user which step of a multi-step flow they're on. The same word, two completely different controls — context decides which one a designer means.
Also called
spinner inputwizard stepsstep indicator
When to use
- Numeric +/- variant: small bounded number adjustments (quantity, age, fonts)
- Multi-step variant: linear flows of 3-7 steps where progress matters (checkout, onboarding)
When not to use
- Numeric variant: open-ended numbers (use a plain number input)
- Multi-step variant: flows over ~7 steps (break it up or use a different pattern)
Related
Source
Apple HIG (numeric +/- input); Material Design (multi-step progress indicator).