We are gradually moving away from the traditional light theme website design to dark themes; chances are that out of 10 websites you visit now, at least 5 of them use dark themes. And it’s not just websites or apps—forms and survey designs are now dark mode enabled.

This switch from lighter themes to darker themes isn’t just because darker themes are more aesthetically pleasing; it’s because they are much easier on the eyes. In this guide, we’ll explore why dark mode forms are trending, their benefits, and how to implement them seamlessly.

Why Are Dark Mode Forms Gaining Popularity?

Dark mode isn’t exactly a new concept, but it wasn’t widely adopted—they were mostly used for niche audiences, such as developers. However, almost all industries are adopting dark themes for their websites, apps, and forms now. Let’s look at why:

• Easier on the eyes – Lately, there has been a rise in people using blue-cut and anti-glare glasses to prevent eye strain. Well, it’s because light themes tend to have a higher glare strain and blue light exposure to the readers’ eyes than dark backgrounds. Using dark theme style with light text reduces glare and blue light exposure, making forms easier to read, especially in low-light conditions.

• User Preference and Personalization – Darker backgrounds tend to have a more modern look and feel. So, people prefer them because of their sleekness. People who really love dark themes will intuitively look for the customization option to change whatever platform they are on to a dark theme, and if you have it enabled, bonus satisfaction points for you.

• Battery Efficiency (for OLED Screens) – OLED/AMOLED uses considerably less power in dark mode than light mode. Since most smartphones (iPhone and Android) use OLED/AMOLED screens, giving users or customers the option to customize to a dark theme will help them extend battery life. For example, people can abandon your form simply because they don’t have enough battery at the time they were filling it and lose interest in opening the tab to complete their registration or order.

• Accessibility Benefits – Offering a dark theme option ensures that you can accommodate users with visual impairments or light sensitivity. The dark mode reduces their eye strain and allows them to read and fill out forms comfortably.

How Dark Mode Affects Form Completion Rates

Enabling dark mode can just be the right ingredient you need to appeal more to users and lead if it is implemented correctly. Let’s look at the major effects of enabling dark mode:

• Improved Readability & Comfort: Forms with a light background can be too glaring for users with sensitivity issues or even just overwhelming, and they drop off.  However, enabling dark mode allows users to intuitively fill out forms without discomfort, reducing the form abandonment rates.

• Enhanced Focus – darker backgrounds provide a modern yet minimalistic look that reduces distractions, helping users concentrate on form fields and submit responses efficiently.

• User Preference & Engagement – If your users are requesting dark mode, offering it shows you value their opinion and satisfaction; this will go a long way in winning them over.

• Potential Drawbacks – The dark theme will only help you convert more users if you implement it the right way. If it’s not properly done, you may end up reducing readability and negatively impacting conversions. So, before you switch to a dark theme, A/B tests both themes to see which one resonates more with your audience. You can also try to see if you can implement an option that makes both options available, allowing users to choose whichever theme they prefer.

How to Implement Dark Mode in Forms With Formplus

A dark mode form is only as effective as how well-designed it is, so here are three different ways to create an engaging and beautiful dark-themed form with Formplus:

Option 1: Use a Dark Theme Template

1. Create an account with Formplus or log in if you already have one

2. Click “Start with a Template” and select a dark-themed template from the template bank.

3. Edit the form fields to collect the information you need

Option 2: Manually Customize Colors

1. Create a new form or use a template.

2. Navigate to Customize > Form Styles.

3. Set a dark background (e.g., #121212, #000000, #1E1E1E).

4. Adjust text and buttons to high-contrast colors (e.g., white or light gray)

5. Save changes and preview the form to ensure it matches your dark theme goal.

Options 3: Enable User Toggle (Advanced)

For dynamic dark/light mode switching:

1. Use custom CSS/JavaScript in Formplus (available in premium plans).

2. Add a toggle button that switches between light/dark themes using media queries or JS.

Best Practices for Dark Mode Forms

• Ensure high contrast for readability (e.g., light text on dark backgrounds).
• Avoid overly bright colors, as they can appear harsh against dark themes.
• Instead of overhauling your entire design, allow users to switch themes for flexibility.
• Test your dark mode across devices/browsers to ensure consistency before going live.

The Bottom Line

Dark mode forms improve your form’s accessibility, readability, and aesthetics. If you are able to implement it properly, it can enhance your user experience, reduce drop-offs, and boost conversions.

Ready to try dark mode? Get started with Formplus!