Separate dropdowns for day, month, and year

Offering multiple methods for date selection enhances usability. Whether it's manual text input, a pop-up calendar, or separate dropdowns for day, month, and year, a hybrid approach often offers the best of both worlds. It allows users greater flexibility to navigate and select dates according to their preferences.

However, designers should be cautious of potential errors. Dropdowns for day, month, and year are generally less error-prone as they reduce the likelihood of format confusion. For example, users are less likely to mistake the day for the month. On the flip side, this approach can involve extra clicks and scrolling, which may become cumbersome if users need to select a date that's far in the past or future.