Inspect the working example
Three of five files have been processed. A separate synthetic disk-use reading is 60 on a 0–100 scale. These are fixed local observations; no file processing or device measurement is performed by the example.
| Case | Input or inspection | Result and meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Completed portion | Read work.value, max and position | 3, 5 and 0.6 |
| Scalar reading | Read space.min, max and value | 0, 100 and 60 |
| Unknown completion | Remove the progress value attribute for inspection | progress.position=-1, indicating indeterminate progress |
Follow the browser mechanism
progress represents completion of a task and can be indeterminate when it has no value. meter represents a scalar measurement within a known range, such as this sample use reading. A matching numeric ratio does not erase that semantic difference. Native gauge visuals vary by engine and operating system.
A progress label does not turn it into a meter
The alternative labels a progress element as disk use. It still has progress semantics; the visible label does not change the element type.
<label for="space">Example disk use</label><progress id="space" value="60" max="100">60 of 100</progress>The alternative is a progress element with position 0.6 and no meter element. The working disk reading is a meter with min 0, max 100 and value 60.
Try the repair
Processing has started but the total number of files is unknown. Should a meter with value 0 represent that unknown completion?
Show the worked answer
Use progress without a value for indeterminate task progress. A meter value 0 is a scalar reading, not an unknown amount of task completion.
- Check native element roles and associated labels, not only filled-bar appearance.
- Keep the sample reading separate from evidence that any operation ran.