Lightbox vs. Modal
A lightbox IS a modal, specialized for media: click a thumbnail and the image opens large over a dimmed page, usually with next/prev arrows and click-outside-to-close. Call it a modal dialog when it holds tasks — forms, confirmations, settings. Call it a lightbox when its whole job is viewing images.
How to tell them apart
- Opened from an image, and shows that image bigger → lightbox.
- Prev/next arrows to move through a gallery → lightbox.
- Contains form controls or questions → modal dialog.
The full entries — names, anatomy, paste-ready prompts
Trip photos
Lightboxweb
<dialog>
The click-to-enlarge image overlay that dims the page behind it
Workspace
Delete file?
Blocks everything behind it.
Edit details
Blocks everything behind it.
Share with…
Blocks everything behind it.
Modal Dialog vs. Drawer vs. Sheetweb
<dialog>
Three overlay patterns distinguished by placement, scope, and task depth
Still a different pair on your mind? See every commonly confused pair