You might wonder how chips differ from buttons. They can look similar, but they work differently. Chips, especially when used as filters, help users narrow down or adjust what they see without leaving the current view. For example, in a restaurant app, chips like "Vegetarian," "Open Now," or "Price: $$" act as quick filters that update results in real time. They're part of a group, letting users select or toggle between several lightweight options.

Buttons, on the other hand, are for clear, single-purpose actions like "Save," "Submit," or "Cancel." They’re used when the user needs to make a decision or move to the next step.

Use filter chips when you want users to refine or explore. Use buttons when you need them to commit or continue.