10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"/><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no"/><title>10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design</title><script id="Cookiebot" src="https://consent.cookiebot.com/uc.js" data-cbid="721be388-83be-48ef-9882-002f0dc9dc4f"></script><script>(function(){ var FLAGS = { 'use_server_algolia_search_flag': false,'use_local_user_profile_cert_and_exam_meta_data_apis': false,'use_teamdesk_api_for_user_profile_override': false,'navigation_2024': true,'banner_sales': true,'use_new_homepage_template': true,'use_local_user_profile_attendance_api': true,'enable_user_auth_redesign': true,'can_generate_certificates': true }, SWITCHES = { 'stripe_invoice_auto_send': false,'exclude_bank_transfer_payment': false,'log_exam_access_at_event_records': false,'use_local_exam_data': true,'create_course_reminders': true,'use_teamdesk_message_etl': false,'slack-integration': false,'use_virtual_overview_redesign': false,'use_course_redesign': true,'allow_course_new_fields_editing': false,'send_sign_in_reminders': false }, SAMPLES = { }; window.waffle = { "flag_is_active": function waffle_flag(flag_name) { return !!FLAGS[flag_name]; }, "switch_is_active": function waffle_switch(switch_name) { return !!SWITCHES[switch_name]; }, "sample_is_active": function waffle_sample(sample_name) { return !!SAMPLES[sample_name]; }, "FLAGS": FLAGS, "SWITCHES": SWITCHES, "SAMPLES": SAMPLES }; })(); </script><script data-cookieconsent="ignore"> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag() { dataLayer.push(arguments) } gtag("consent", "default", { ad_personalization: "denied", ad_storage: "denied", ad_user_data: "denied", analytics_storage: "denied", functionality_storage: "denied", personalization_storage: "denied", security_storage: "granted", wait_for_update: 500 }); gtag("set", "ads_data_redaction", true); gtag("set", "url_passthrough", false); </script><script type="text/plain" data-cookieconsent="statistics">(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl+ '&gtm_auth=oQvLGCv6ryZLP7PJLlpI-g&gtm_preview=env-2&gtm_cookies_win=x';f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-THJDDHK');</script><script> window.addEventListener('CookiebotOnConsentReady', function () { if (window.Cookiebot.consent.marketing && window.Cookiebot.consent.method === "explicit") { // the experiment will load in any case but, according to the support, // "Cookies are set, tracking is sent, and integrations send data only after consent is given." window._conv_q.push(['consentGiven']); } }) </script><script src="//cdn-4.convertexperiments.com/js/10041905-10042313.js"></script><link rel="preconnect" href="https://media.nngroup.com/"/><link rel="preconnect" href="https://consent.cookiebot.com/"/><link rel="preconnect" href="https://consentcdn.cookiebot.com/"/><link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.googletagmanager.com/"/><link rel="preconnect" href="https://dnn506yrbagrg.cloudfront.net/"/><script src="https://media.nngroup.com/static/js/output.2e14f0aaa8d0.js" async></script><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.nngroup.com/static/css/output.55aab3a9e87a.css" type="text/css"><meta name="description" content="Jakob Nielsen's 10 general principles for interaction design. They are called "heuristics" because they are broad rules of thumb and not specific usability guidelines."/><meta property="og:description" content="Jakob Nielsen's 10 general principles for interaction design. They are called "heuristics" because they are broad rules of thumb and not specific usability guidelines."/><meta name="keywords" content="heuristics, heuristic evaluation, usability evaluation, user interface evaluation, usability inspection, usability principles, HCI principles, design principles, design principles, user interface design, interface design, interaction design, interaction principles, interaction design principles"/><meta name="robots" content="noarchive"/><meta name="twitter:dnt" content="on"/><meta property="og:title" content="10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design"/><meta property="og:url" content="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ten-usability-heuristics/"/><meta property="og:site_name" content="Nielsen Norman Group"/><meta property="og:type" content="article"><meta property="og:image" content="https://media.nngroup.com/media/articles/opengraph_images/Updated10HeuristicSocialCard-36.png"><meta name="twitter:site" content="@nngroup"/><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"><link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ten-usability-heuristics/"><link rel="search" type="application/opensearchdescription+xml" title="NN/g Search" href="/opensearch.xml"/><link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://media.nngroup.com/static/img/favicon.ico"/><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.nngroup.com/static/css/output.df057ffb02d7.css" type="text/css"> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design", "image": [ "https://media.nngroup.com/media/articles/opengraph_images/Updated10HeuristicSocialCard-36.png" ], "datePublished": "1994-04-24T19:00:00+0000", "dateModified": "2024-02-20T18:31:17+0000", "author": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jakob Nielsen" ,"url": "https://www.nngroup.com/articles/author/jakob-nielsen/" } ] } </script> </head> <body class=" article-detail " > <div class="skip"><a href="#main">Skip to content</a></div> <div class="banner-sales hidden"> <div class="text"> <strong class="label-small"><span>Save up to 20% when you</span> <span>register for 2+ <a href="/course-calendar/"><span class="visually-hidden">upcoming</span> courses</a></span></strong> Until January 21 </div> <button> <svg class="open-nav" aria-hidden width="16" viewBox="0 0 22 22" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <use href="#icon-close" /> </svg> </button> </div> <div class="svg-definitions"> <svg width="0" id="icon-error-svg" viewbox="0 0 16 16" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" > <path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M16 8C16 12.4183 12.4183 16 8 16C3.58172 16 0 12.4183 0 8C0 3.58172 3.58172 0 8 0C12.4183 0 16 3.58172 16 8ZM8 3C8.55228 3 9 3.44772 9 4V9C9 9.55228 8.55229 10 8 10C7.44772 10 7 9.55228 7 9V4C7 3.44772 7.44772 3 8 3ZM8 13.5833C8.55229 13.5833 9 13.1356 9 12.5833C9 12.031 8.55229 11.5833 8 11.5833C7.44772 11.5833 7 12.031 7 12.5833C7 13.1356 7.44772 13.5833 8 13.5833Z" fill="currentColor"/> </svg> <svg width="0" id="icon-error-svg-outlined" viewBox="0 0 24 25" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" > <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="11" fill="currentColor" stroke="black" stroke-width="2"/> <circle cx="12" cy="18.625" r="1.5" fill="black"/> <path d="M12 6L12 13.5" stroke="black" stroke-width="2.5" stroke-linecap="round"/> </svg> <svg width="0" id="icon-confirm-svg" viewBox="0 0 32 32" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" > <path d="M3.52197 18.3985L10.5027 25.3792C10.9079 25.7844 11.5699 25.767 11.9532 25.3411L28 7.50989L27.0315 6.63916L11.1992 24.2311L4.44338 17.4753L3.52197 18.3985Z" fill="currentColor" stroke="black"/> </svg> <svg width="0" viewbox="0 0 22 22" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" > <g id="logo"> <path d="M0 26.8755V3.69629H4.93343L11.244 17.4356H11.3146V3.69629H15.4258V26.8755H11.1128L4.18181 11.9141H4.11623V26.8755H0Z" fill="currentColor"/> <path d="M23.2194 26.8755V3.69629H28.1579L34.4684 17.4356H34.534V3.69629H38.6503V26.8755H34.3373L27.4012 11.9141H27.3357V26.8755H23.2194Z" fill="currentColor"/> <path d="M65.1485 15.8523C65.1485 18.0045 64.1699 19.0682 62.2177 19.0682C60.1646 19.0682 59.0902 18.0094 59.0902 15.9513C59.0902 13.7348 60.1343 12.7057 62.1521 12.7057C64.301 12.7057 65.1485 13.6705 65.1485 15.8573V15.8523ZM67.1713 11.4738C65.1838 11.4738 64.6945 10.5684 62.2177 10.5684C58.6664 10.5684 56.2098 12.7651 56.2098 15.981C56.2098 18.1034 57.6828 19.9241 59.872 20.597C57.6525 21.2649 56.9311 22.0318 56.9311 23.3132C56.9311 24.7678 58.0813 25.6385 60.0032 25.6385C60.5228 25.6385 61.8595 25.6088 62.5103 25.6088C64.1043 25.6088 65.0829 25.7672 65.7034 26.1877C66.2885 26.5736 66.5811 27.2514 66.5811 28.1172C66.5811 30.1111 65.1485 30.9175 62.6414 30.9175C61.34 30.9175 60.1343 30.6306 59.3525 30.1754C58.7673 29.8241 58.4092 29.1463 58.4092 28.3102C58.4092 27.7956 58.6362 27.2168 58.8682 26.8606L56.1846 27.0882C55.9525 27.7313 55.8567 28.2162 55.8567 28.795C55.8567 31.0759 57.824 32.8619 62.9088 32.8619C66.8484 32.8619 69.3707 31.3034 69.3707 27.8303C69.3707 26.445 68.846 25.3169 67.5698 24.4462C66.5861 23.7684 65.547 23.5408 63.6553 23.5408H61.0524C60.2403 23.5408 59.751 23.2538 59.751 22.7739C59.751 22.2297 60.4975 21.6855 62.6818 20.9186C63.8521 20.9186 64.8963 20.7256 65.7084 20.221C67.2066 19.2958 68.1247 17.6285 68.1247 15.8276C68.1247 14.7985 67.7968 13.898 67.141 13.0965C67.4386 13.2252 67.8321 13.2895 68.2558 13.2895C69.2395 13.2895 69.9911 13.0322 71.005 12.3198L69.4362 10.7712C68.6493 11.2858 68.0288 11.4837 67.1763 11.4837L67.1713 11.4738Z" fill="currentColor"/> <path d="M44.1991 33.5001C44.1184 33.5001 44.0326 33.4852 43.9519 33.4605C43.5282 33.3269 43.2962 32.8767 43.4374 32.4611L53.8642 1.04428C54.0004 0.62869 54.4544 0.401103 54.8781 0.539634C55.3018 0.673217 55.5288 1.11849 55.3926 1.53409L44.9608 32.9509C44.8498 33.2824 44.5371 33.4951 44.1941 33.4951L44.1991 33.5001Z" fill="currentColor"/> </g> <g id="icon-burger"> <path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M0 1.5C4.82824e-08 0.947715 0.447715 0.5 1 0.5L19 0.500002C19.5523 0.500002 20 0.947717 20 1.5C20 2.05229 19.5523 2.5 19 2.5L1 2.5C0.447715 2.5 -4.82821e-08 2.05228 0 1.5Z" fill="currentColor" /> <path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M0 17.5C4.82824e-08 16.9477 0.447715 16.5 1 16.5L19 16.5C19.5523 16.5 20 16.9477 20 17.5C20 18.0523 19.5523 18.5 19 18.5L1 18.5C0.447715 18.5 -4.82821e-08 18.0523 0 17.5Z" fill="currentColor" /> <path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M0 9.5C4.82824e-08 8.94772 0.447715 8.5 1 8.5L19 8.5C19.5523 8.5 20 8.94772 20 9.5C20 10.0523 19.5523 10.5 19 10.5L1 10.5C0.447715 10.5 -4.82821e-08 10.0523 0 9.5Z" fill="currentColor" /> </g> <path id="icon-search" d="M29.921 27.5861L22.1292 20.034C24.0015 17.8554 24.9351 15.061 24.7359 12.2322C24.5367 9.40331 23.2199 6.75782 21.0594 4.84601C18.899 2.9342 16.0613 1.90327 13.1366 1.96769C10.2119 2.03211 7.42541 3.1869 5.3568 5.19186C3.2882 7.19681 2.09674 9.89755 2.03028 12.7322C1.96382 15.5669 3.02747 18.3173 4.99997 20.4113C6.97248 22.5053 9.70196 23.7815 12.6206 23.9747C15.5393 24.1678 18.4224 23.2629 20.6702 21.4481L28.462 29.0002L29.921 27.5861ZM4.12735 13.0002C4.12735 11.2202 4.67195 9.48015 5.69228 8.0001C6.71261 6.52006 8.16284 5.36651 9.85958 4.68532C11.5563 4.00413 13.4234 3.8259 15.2246 4.17317C17.0259 4.52044 18.6804 5.3776 19.9791 6.63628C21.2777 7.89495 22.1621 9.49859 22.5204 11.2444C22.8787 12.9903 22.6948 14.7999 21.992 16.4444C21.2891 18.0889 20.099 19.4945 18.5719 20.4835C17.0449 21.4724 15.2496 22.0002 13.4131 22.0002C10.9512 21.9976 8.59091 21.0485 6.85009 19.3613C5.10928 17.674 4.13008 15.3864 4.12735 13.0002Z" fill="currentColor"/> <path id="icon-open-nav" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M8.19398 11.5945C7.85227 11.9362 7.29825 11.9362 6.95654 11.5945L1.29969 5.93763L2.53712 4.7002L7.57526 9.73833L12.6134 4.7002L13.8508 5.93764L8.19398 11.5945Z" fill="currentColor"/> <g id="icon-cart"> <circle cx="11.3124" cy="22.5204" r="1.83485" fill="currentColor"/> <circle cx="25.5299" cy="22.5204" r="1.83485" fill="currentColor"/> <path d="M7.56201 3.11621H28.2498C28.8012 3.11621 29.2054 3.63495 29.0707 4.16965L27.1371 11.8434C27.0424 12.2195 26.7041 12.4832 26.3162 12.4832H10.6505" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.75" stroke-linecap="round"/> <path d="M1.82202 1H5.3761C5.74546 1 6.07219 1.23947 6.1834 1.59169L11.2469 17.6284C11.3581 17.9806 11.6848 18.2201 12.0542 18.2201H25.8257" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.75" stroke-linecap="square"/> </g> </svg> <svg id="icon-close-svg" viewbox="0 0 22 22" width="0" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" > <g id="icon-close"> <path d="M1 1L20.5 20.5" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" /> <path d="M20.5 1L1 20.5" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" /> </g> </svg> </div> <header class="banner-image" > <nav class="nav-main desktop" aria-label="main"> <button class="burger-button"> <svg width="20" viewBox="0 0 20 19" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" > <title>Open main navigation</title> <use href="#icon-burger" /> </svg> </button> <a href="/" class="logo" aria-label="Home"> <svg width="71" viewBox="0 0 71 34" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <title>Nielsen Norman Group</title> <use href="#logo" /> </svg> </a> <ul> <li class=" has-subnav"> <button aria-expanded="false">Training & UX Certification <svg class="open-nav" aria-hidden width="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <use href="#icon-open-nav" /> </svg> </button> <ul class="visually-hidden"> <li class=""> <a tabindex="-1" href="/courses/">All Courses</a> </li> <li class=""> <a tabindex="-1" href="/training/live-courses/">Live Online Courses</a> </li> <li class=""> <a tabindex="-1" href="/team-training/">Private Team Training</a> </li> <li class=""> <a tabindex="-1" href="/training/bulk-discounts/">Bulk Discounts</a> </li> <li class=""> <a tabindex="-1" href="/ux-certification/">UX Certification</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="selected "> <a href="/articles/">Articles & Videos</a> </li> <li class=" "> <a href="/consulting/">Consulting</a> </li> <li class=" "> <a href="/reports/">Reports & Books</a> </li> <li class=" has-subnav"> <button aria-expanded="false">About NN/g <svg class="open-nav" aria-hidden width="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <use href="#icon-open-nav" /> </svg> </button> <ul class="visually-hidden"> <li class=""> <a tabindex="-1" href="/about/">Overview</a> </li> <li class=""> <a tabindex="-1" href="/people/">People</a> </li> <li class=""> <a tabindex="-1" href="/about/about-client-list/">Clients</a> </li> <li class=""> <a tabindex="-1" href="/news/">News</a> </li> <li class=""> <a tabindex="-1" href="/about/contact/">Contact Us</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <div class="cart empty"> <a href=/cart/> <svg width="30" viewBox="0 0 30 25" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <use href="#icon-cart" /> </svg> <span></span> </a> </div> <div class="profile has-subnav"> <button class="loading" aria-expanded="false">Profile <svg class="open-nav" aria-hidden width="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <use href="#icon-open-nav" /> </svg> </button> </div> <button class="search-button"> <svg title="Search" width="32" viewBox="0 0 32 32" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" > <title>Search</title> <use href="#icon-search"> </svg> </button> <form role="search" action="/search/" method="get" data-algolia-app-id="ORI4VVAEA5" data-algolia-search-api-key="9f70340d433027a479c60e38395a089c" data-index="Document_production_query_suggestions" > <label class="visually-hidden" for="search">Search</label> <div id="search-autocomplete"><input id="search" name="q" type="search" /></div> <button type="reset" class="reset-button empty" disabled> <svg width="13" viewBox="0 0 22 22" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" > <title>Reset</title> <use href="#icon-close" /> </svg> </button> <button type="submit" class="search-button"> <svg title="Search" width="32" viewBox="0 0 32 32" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" > <title>Search</title> <use href="#icon-search"> </svg> </button> </form> </nav> </header> <main id="main"> <section class="padded"> <div class="wrapper"> <article> <span id="gaDataLength" class="ga-data-layer" aria-hidden="true">7</span> <div class="article-header"> <h1 class="article-h1">10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design</h1> <div class="article-authors"> <span id="gaDataAuthors" class="ga-data-layer" aria-hidden="true">Jakob Nielsen</span> <div class="author-tile multiple body-small"> <div class="author-photos"> <img height="64" width="64" class="author-photo fluid" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/people/photos/Jakob-Nielsen-tie-800x800.jpg.256x256_q75_autocrop_crop-smart_upscale.jpg" alt=""> </div> <div class="author-meta"> <span class="authors-list"><a class="ga-article-author" href="/articles/author/jakob-nielsen/"> Jakob Nielsen</a></span> <p class="publication-date"> April 24, 1994 · Updated Jan. 30, 2024 <span id="gaDataPubDate" class="ga-data-layer" aria-hidden="true">2024-01-30</span> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="article-share"> <a class="article-share-title ga-share" href="#"> <span class="article-share-icon"></span> <p class="article-share-label body-medium">Share</p> </a> <div class="share-links tooltip"> <div class="tip-arrow"></div> <ul> <li class="body-medium"> <a class="ga-share-email" target="_blank" href="mailto:?subject=NN/g Article: 10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design&body=https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ten-usability-heuristics/" data-share-type="Email"> <span class="icon envelope"></span>Email article </a> </li> <li class="body-medium"> <a class="ga-share-linkedin" target="_blank" href="http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=http://www.nngroup.com/articles/ten-usability-heuristics/&title=10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design&source=Nielsen%20Norman%20Group" data-share-type="LinkedIn"> <span class="icon linkedin"></span>Share on LinkedIn </a> </li> <li class="body-medium"> <a class="ga-share-twitter" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=http://www.nngroup.com/articles/ten-usability-heuristics/&text=10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design&via=nngroup" data-share-type="Twitter"> <span class="icon twitter"></span>Share on Twitter </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="article-container"> <div class="article-content"> <div class="article-summary article-heading-small-light"> <span class="article-summary-label"> Summary:  </span>Jakob Nielsen's 10 general principles for interaction design. They are called "heuristics" because they are broad rules of thumb and not specific usability guidelines. </div> <div class="article-body"> <p><em>Thank you to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/people/kelley-gordon/">Kelley Gordon</a> for designing the visuals and posters included in this article.</em></p> <p><em>Thank you to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/people/kate-moran/">Kate Moran</a> and <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/people/feifei-liu/">Feifei Liu</a> for updating the heuristic names, descriptions, and examples.</em></p> <div class="table-of-contents"> <div class="content"> <div class="header"> <div class="toc-header"> <h2 class="toc-title article-heading-small"> In This Article: </h2> <span class="expand-icon"></span> </div> <a class="current-element" href="#"></a> </div> <ul class="toc-items"> <li class="article-table-of-content"> <a class="ga-article-toc-item" href="#toc-1-visibility-of-system-status-1">1: Visibility of System Status</a> </li> <li class="article-table-of-content"> <a class="ga-article-toc-item" href="#toc-2-match-between-the-system-and-the-real-world-2">2: Match Between the System and the Real World</a> </li> <li class="article-table-of-content"> <a class="ga-article-toc-item" href="#toc-3-user-control-and-freedom-3">3: User Control and Freedom</a> </li> <li class="article-table-of-content"> <a class="ga-article-toc-item" href="#toc-4-consistency-and-standards-4">4: Consistency and Standards</a> </li> <li class="article-table-of-content"> <a class="ga-article-toc-item" href="#toc-5-error-prevention-5">5: Error Prevention</a> </li> <li class="article-table-of-content"> <a class="ga-article-toc-item" href="#toc-6-recognition-rather-than-recall-6">6: Recognition Rather than Recall</a> </li> <li class="article-table-of-content"> <a class="ga-article-toc-item" href="#toc-7-flexibility-and-efficiency-of-use-7">7: Flexibility and Efficiency of Use</a> </li> <li class="article-table-of-content"> <a class="ga-article-toc-item" href="#toc-8-aesthetic-and-minimalist-design-8">8: Aesthetic and Minimalist Design</a> </li> <li class="article-table-of-content"> <a class="ga-article-toc-item" href="#toc-9-help-users-recognize-diagnose-and-recover-from-errors-9">9: Help Users Recognize, Diagnose, and Recover from Errors</a> </li> <li class="article-table-of-content"> <a class="ga-article-toc-item" href="#toc-10-help-and-documentation-10">10: Help and Documentation</a> </li> <li class="article-table-of-content"> <a class="ga-article-toc-item" href="#toc-free-10-heuristics-poster-11">Free 10 Heuristics Poster</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div><h2 id="toc-1-visibility-of-system-status-1">1: Visibility of System Status</h2> <p><strong>The design should always keep users informed about what is going on, through appropriate feedback within a reasonable amount of time.</strong></p> <p>When users know the current system status, they learn the outcome of their prior interactions and determine next steps. Predictable interactions create trust in the product as well as the brand.</p> <div class="column grid mt-3 two" style="background-color:#f7f7f7; padding:10px"> <div class="bulleted"> <figure class="caption" style="float:left"><img alt="Usability Heuristic #1: Man beside “You Are Here” indicators on a mall maps to show him where he currently is." height="355" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/editor/2020/11/05/heuristic-example-1-rbg-73.png" style="border:none" width="500"/> <figcaption><strong><em>Example of Usability Heuristic #1: </em></strong><br/> You Are Here<em> indicators on mall maps show people where they currently are, to help them understand where to go next.</em></figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="bulleted"> <p><strong>Tips</strong></p> <ul> <li>Communicate clearly to users what the system’s state is — no action with consequences to users should be taken without informing them.</li> <li>Present feedback to the user as quickly as possible (ideally, immediately).</li> <li>Build trust through open and <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/microinteractions/">continuous communication</a>.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Learn more</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/visibility-system-status/">Full article: <em>Visibility of System Status</em></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/usability-heuristic-system-status/">3-minute video about the <em>Visibility Heuristic </em></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc-2-match-between-the-system-and-the-real-world-2">2: Match Between the System and the Real World</h2> <p><strong>The design should speak the users' language. Use words, phrases, and concepts familiar to the user, rather than internal jargon. Follow real-world conventions, making information appear in a natural and logical order.</strong></p> <p>The way you should design depends very much on your specific users. Terms, concepts, icons, and images that seem perfectly clear to you and your colleagues may be unfamiliar or confusing to your users.</p> <p>When a design’s controls follow real-world conventions and correspond to desired outcomes (called <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/natural-mappings/">natural mapping</a>), it’s easier for users to learn and remember how the interface works. This helps to build an experience that feels intuitive.</p> <div class="column grid mt-3 two" style="background-color:#f7f7f7; padding:10px"> <div class="bulleted"> <figure class="caption"><img alt="Usability Heuristic #2: A stovetop that has controls that match the layout of the heating elements." height="355" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/editor/2020/11/05/heuristic-example-74.png" style="border:none" width="500"/> <figcaption><strong><em>Example of Usability Heuristic #2: </em></strong><br/> <em>When stovetop controls match the layout of heating elements, users can quickly understand which control maps to which heating element.</em></figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="bulleted"> <p><strong>Tips</strong></p> <ul> <li>Ensure that users can understand meaning without having to go look up a word’s definition.</li> <li>Never assume your understanding of words or concepts will match that of your users.</li> <li>User research will uncover your <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/user-centric-language/">users' familiar terminology,</a> as well as their mental models around important concepts.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Learn more</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/match-system-real-world/">Full article: <em>Match Between the System and the Real World</em></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/match-system-real-world/">2-minute video: <em>Match Between the System and the Real World</em></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc-3-user-control-and-freedom-3">3: User Control and Freedom</h2> <p><strong>Users often perform actions by mistake. They need a clearly marked "emergency exit" to leave the unwanted action without having to go through an extended process.</strong></p> <p>When it's easy for people to back out of a process or undo an action, it fosters a sense of freedom and confidence. Exits allow users to remain in control of the system and avoid getting stuck and feeling frustrated.</p> <div class="column grid mt-3 two" style="background-color:#f7f7f7; padding:10px"> <div class="bulleted"> <figure class="caption"><img alt="Usability Heuristic #3: A door with a light-up emergency exit above it." height="355" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/editor/2020/11/05/heuristic-example-75.png" style="border:none" width="500"/> <figcaption><strong><em>Example of Usability Heuristic #3: </em></strong><br/> <em>Digital spaces need quick emergency exits, just like physical spaces do. </em></figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="bulleted"> <p><strong>Tips</strong></p> <ul> <li>Support <em>Undo</em> and <em>Redo</em>.</li> <li>Show a clear way to exit the current interaction, like a <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/reset-and-cancel-buttons/"><em>Cancel</em> button</a>.</li> <li>Make sure the exit is clearly labeled and discoverable.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Learn more </strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/user-control-and-freedom/">Full article: <em>User Control and Freedom</em></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/usability-heuristic-user-control-freedom/">2-minute video: <em>User Control and Freedom</em></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc-4-consistency-and-standards-4">4: Consistency and Standards</h2> <p><strong>Users should not have to wonder whether different words, situations, or actions mean the same thing. Follow platform and industry conventions.</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/jakobs-law-internet-ux/">Jakob's Law</a> states that people spend most of their time using digital products<em> other than yours</em>. Users’ experiences with those other products set their expectations. Failing to maintain consistency may increase the users' <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/minimize-cognitive-load/">cognitive load</a> by forcing them to learn something new.</p> <div class="column grid mt-3 two" style="background-color:#f7f7f7; padding:10px"> <div class="bulleted"> <figure class="caption"><img alt="Usability Heuristic #4: A hotel check-in counter at that is always located at the front of a hotel." height="355" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/editor/2020/11/05/heuristic-example-76.png" style="border:none" width="500"/> <figcaption><strong><em>Example of Usability Heuristic #4:</em></strong><br/> <em>Checkin counters are usually located at the front of hotels. This consistency meets customers’ expectations.</em></figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="bulleted"> <p><strong>Tips</strong></p> <ul> <li>Improve <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/learnability-efficiency-ui-design/">learnability</a> by maintaining both types of consistency: internal and external.</li> <li>Maintain <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/omnichannel-consistency/">consistency</a> within a single product or a <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/design-systems/">family of products (internal consistency).</a></li> <li>Follow established <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/do-interface-standards-stifle-design-creativity/"> industry conventions</a> (external consistency).</li> </ul> <p><strong>Learn more</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.nngroup.com/articles/consistency-and-standards/">Full article: <em>Consistency and Standards</em></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/usability-heuristic-consistency-standards/">3-minute video: <em>Consistency and Standards</em></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc-5-error-prevention-5">5: Error Prevention</h2> <p><strong>Good error messages are important, but the best designs carefully prevent problems from occurring in the first place. Either eliminate error-prone conditions, or check for them and present users with a confirmation option before they commit to the action.</strong></p> <p>There are two types of errors: <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/slips-vs-mistakes/">slips and mistakes</a>. Slips are unconscious errors caused by inattention. Mistakes are conscious errors based on a mismatch between the user’s mental model and the design.</p> <div class="column grid mt-3 two" style="background-color:#f7f7f7; padding:10px"> <div class="bulleted"> <figure class="caption"><img alt="Usability Heuristic #5: A highway that has guard rails so a driver can't drive off the side. " height="355" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/editor/2020/11/05/heuristic-example-77.png" style="border:none" width="500"/> <figcaption><strong><em>Example of Usability Heuristic #5:</em></strong><br/> <em>Guard rails on curvy mountain roads prevent drivers from falling off cliffs. </em></figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="bulleted"> <p><strong>Tips</strong></p> <ul> <li>Prioritize your effort: Prevent high-cost errors first, then little frustrations.</li> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/slips/">Avoid slips</a> by providing helpful constraints and good <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/the-power-of-defaults/">defaults</a>.</li> <li>Prevent mistakes by removing memory burdens, supporting undo, and <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/confirmation-dialog/">warning your users</a>.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Learn more</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/slips/">Full article: <em>Preventing User Errors</em></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/usability-heuristic-error-prevention/">3-minute video: <em>Error Prevention</em></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc-6-recognition-rather-than-recall-6">6: Recognition Rather than Recall</h2> <p><strong>Minimize the user's memory load by making elements, actions, and options visible. The user should not have to remember information from one part of the interface to another. Information required to use the design (e.g. field labels or menu items) should be visible or easily retrievable when needed.</strong></p> <p>Humans have limited short-term <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/working-memory-external-memory/">memories</a>. Interfaces that promote recognition reduce the amount of cognitive effort required from users.</p> <div class="column grid mt-3 two" style="background-color:#f7f7f7; padding:10px"> <div class="bulleted"> <figure class="caption"><img alt="Usability Heuristic #6: A castle that represents Lisbon. It is easier for people to hear the capital and place it's country, rather than name a capital outright." height="355" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/editor/2020/11/05/heuristic-example-78.png" style="border:none" width="500"/> <figcaption><strong><em>Example of Usability Heuristic #6: </em></strong><br/> <em>It’s easier for most people to recognize the capitals of countries, instead of having to remember them. People are more likely to correctly answer the question </em>Is Lisbon the capital of Portugal?<em> rather than </em>What’s the capital of Portugal?</figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="bulleted"> <p><strong>Tips</strong></p> <ul> <li>Let people recognize information in the interface, rather than forcing them to remember (“recall”) it.</li> <li>Offer <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/just-in-time-help/">help in context</a>, instead of giving users a long tutorial to memorize.</li> <li>Reduce the information that users have to remember.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Learn more</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/recognition-and-recall/">Full article: <em>Recognition vs. Recall in UX</em></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/recognition-vs-recall/">3-minute video: <em>Recognition vs. Recall </em></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc-7-flexibility-and-efficiency-of-use-7">7: Flexibility and Efficiency of Use</h2> <p><strong>Shortcuts — hidden from novice users — may speed up the interaction for the expert user so that the design can cater to both inexperienced and experienced users. Allow users to tailor frequent actions.</strong></p> <p>Flexible processes can be carried out in different ways, so that people can pick whichever method works for them.</p> <div class="column grid mt-3 two" style="background-color:#f7f7f7; padding:10px"> <div class="bulleted"> <figure class="caption"><img alt="Usability Heuristic #7: A picture of a map with 2 routes. The first is a regular route, the second is a shortcut. " height="355" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/editor/2020/11/05/heuristic-example-79.png" style="border:none" width="500"/> <figcaption><strong><em>Example of Usability Heuristic #7: </em></strong><br/> <em>Regular routes are listed on maps, but locals with knowledge of the area can take shortcuts. </em></figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="bulleted"> <p><strong>Tips</strong></p> <ul> <li>Provide <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ui-accelerators/">accelerators</a> like keyboard shortcuts and touch gestures.</li> <li>Provide <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/personalization/">personalization</a> by tailoring content and functionality for individual users.</li> <li>Allow for <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/customization-personalization/">customization</a>, so users can make selections about how they want the product to work.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Learn more</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/flexibility-efficiency-heuristic/">Full article: <em>Flexibility and Efficiency of Use: The 7th Usability Heuristic Explained</em></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/flexibility-efficiency-use/">3-minute video: <em>Flexibility and Efficiency of Use</em></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc-8-aesthetic-and-minimalist-design-8">8: Aesthetic and Minimalist Design</h2> <p><strong>Interfaces should not contain information that is irrelevant or rarely needed. Every extra unit of information in an interface competes with the relevant units of information and diminishes their relative visibility.</strong></p> <p>This heuristic doesn't mean you have to use a <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/flat-design/">flat design</a> — it's about making sure you're keeping the content and visual design focused on the essentials. Ensure that the visual elements of the interface support the user's primary goals.</p> <div class="column grid mt-3 two" style="background-color:#f7f7f7; padding:10px"> <div class="bulleted"> <figure class="caption"><img alt="Usability Heuristic #8: Two teapots side by side. One basic and straightforward, the other ornate with a fancy handle and curvy spout." height="355" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/editor/2020/11/05/heuristic-example-80.png" style="border:none" width="500"/> <figcaption><strong><em>Example of Usability Heuristic #8: </em></strong><br/> <em>An ornate teapot may have excessive decorative elements, like an uncomfortable handle or hard-to-wash nozzle, that can interfere with usability. </em></figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="bulleted"> <p><strong>Tips</strong></p> <ul> <li>Keep the <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/how-little-do-users-read/">content</a> and <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/principles-visual-design/">visual design</a> of UI focused on the essentials.</li> <li>Don't let unnecessary elements distract users from the information they really need.</li> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/less-is-more/">Prioritize the content and features</a> to support primary goals.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Learn more</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/aesthetic-minimalist-design/">Full article: <em>Aesthetic and Minimalist Design (Usability Heuristic #8)</em></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/aesthetic-and-minimalist-design/">3-minute video: <em>Aesthetic and Minimalist Design</em></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc-9-help-users-recognize-diagnose-and-recover-from-errors-9">9: Help Users Recognize, Diagnose, and Recover from Errors</h2> <p><strong>Error messages should be expressed in plain language (no error codes), precisely indicate the problem, and constructively suggest a solution.</strong></p> <p>These error messages should also be presented with visual treatments that will help users notice and recognize them.</p> <div class="column grid mt-3 two" style="background-color:#f7f7f7; padding:10px"> <div class="bulleted"> <figure class="caption"><img alt="Usability Heuristic #9: A picture of a road with a wrong way sign to the right that would warn drivers not to enter. " height="355" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/editor/2020/11/05/heuristic-example-81.png" style="border:none" width="500"/> <figcaption><strong><em>Example of Usability Heuristic #9: </em></strong><br/> Wrong way<em> signs on the road remind drivers that they are heading in the wrong direction and ask them to stop. </em></figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="bulleted"> <p><strong>Tips</strong></p> <ul> <li>Use traditional <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/error-message-guidelines/">error-message</a> visuals, like bold, red text.</li> <li>Tell users what went wrong in <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/plain-language-experts/">language they will understand</a> — avoid technical jargon.</li> <li>Offer users a solution, like a shortcut that can solve the error immediately.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Learn more</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/error-message-guidelines/">Full article: <em>Error-Message Guidelines</em></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/usability-heuristic-recognize-errors/">2-minute video: <em>Helping Users Overcome Errors</em></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc-10-help-and-documentation-10">10: Help and Documentation</h2> <p><strong>It’s best if the system doesn’t need any additional explanation. However, it may be necessary to provide documentation to help users understand how to complete their tasks.</strong></p> <p>Help and documentation content should be easy to search and focused on the user's task. Keep it concise, and list concrete steps that need to be carried out.</p> <div class="column grid mt-3 two" style="background-color:#f7f7f7; padding:10px"> <div class="bulleted"> <figure class="caption"><img alt="" height="355" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/editor/2020/11/06/heuristic-example-73-82.png" style="border:none" width="500"/> <figcaption><strong><em>Example of Usability Heuristic #10: </em></strong><br/> <em>Information kiosks at airports are easily recognizable and solve customers’ problems in context and immediately. </em></figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="bulleted"> <p><strong>Tips</strong></p> <ul> <li>Ensure that the help documentation is easy to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/search-visible-and-simple/">search</a>.</li> <li>Whenever possible, present the documentation in context right at the moment that the user requires it.</li> <li>List concrete steps to be carried out.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Learn more</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/help-and-documentation/">Full article: <em>Help and Documentation: The 10th Usability Heuristic</em></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/videos/help-and-documentation/">3-minute video: <em>Help and Documentation</em></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc-free-10-heuristics-poster-11">Free 10 Heuristics Poster</h2> <p>Download a <a href="#poster">free summary poster</a> or <a href="https://media.nngroup.com/media/articles/attachments/Jakob's10UsabilityHeuristics_AllPosters_5.zip">10 detailed posters</a> of the 10 Usability Heuristics, designed by <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/people/kelley-gordon/">Kelley Gordon</a>, <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/people/kate-moran/">Kate Moran</a>, and <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/people/feifei-liu/">Feifei Liu</a>.</p> <div style="text-align:center"> <figure class="caption" style="display:inline-block"><img alt="Jakob's 10 Usability Heuristic Posters Hung on a Wall" height="1023" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/editor/2020/11/09/_dsc8383.png" width="691"/> <figcaption>Download and print our <a href="https://media.nngroup.com/media/articles/attachments/Jakob's10UsabilityHeuristics_AllPosters_5.zip">free usability heuristic posters</a>. Hang them at home, in your office, or gift them to a colleague.</figcaption> </figure> </div> <h3>Note from Jakob</h3> <p>I originally developed the heuristics for heuristic evaluation in collaboration with Rolf Molich in 1990 [Molich and Nielsen 1990; Nielsen and Molich 1990]. Four years later, I refined the heuristics based on a factor analysis of 249 usability problems [Nielsen 1994a] to derive a set of heuristics with maximum explanatory power, resulting in this revised set of heuristics [Nielsen 1994b].</p> <p>In 2020, we updated this article, adding more explanation, examples, and related links. While we slightly refined the language of the definitions, the <strong>10 heuristics themselves have remained relevant and unchanged since 1994.</strong> When something has remained true for 26 years, it will likely apply to future generations of user interfaces as well.</p> <h3>See Also</h3> <h4><strong>Examples</strong></h4> <ul> <li style="list-style-type:disc"><strong><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/usability-heuristics-complex-applications/">10 Usability Heuristics Applied to C</a></strong><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/usability-heuristics-complex-applications/"><strong>omplex Applications</strong></a> — Examples of the heuristics applied to complex and domain-specific software applications.</li> <li style="list-style-type:disc"><strong><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/usability-heuristics-virtual-reality/">10 Usability Heuristics Applied to Virtual Reality</a></strong> — See the heuristics applied to 3D virtual environments.</li> <li style="list-style-type:disc"><a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/usability-heuristics-applied-video-games/"><strong>10 Usability Heuristics Applied to Video Games</strong></a> — Great examples of the 10 heuristics in highly interactive and highly visual user interfaces that have an entertainment purpose.</li> <li style="list-style-type:disc"><strong><a href="http://www.zenhaiku.com/archives/usability_applied_to_life.html">10 Usability Heuristics Applied to Everyday Life</a> </strong>(Just for fun)</li> </ul> <h4><strong>Checklists & Guidelines</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Full set of <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/reports/">2,397 UX design guidelines</a> (across multiple reports).</li> <li>Bruce "Tog" Tognazzini's list of <a href="https://asktog.com/atc/principles-of-interaction-design/">basic principles for interface design</a>. The list is slightly too long for heuristic evaluation but serves as a useful checklist.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>References</strong></h3> <p>Molich, R., and Nielsen, J. (1990). Improving a human-computer dialogue, Communications of the ACM 33, 3 (March), 338-348.</p> <p>Nielsen, J., and Molich, R. (1990). Heuristic evaluation of user interfaces, Proc. ACM CHI'90 Conf. (Seattle, WA, 1-5 April), 249-256.</p> <p>Nielsen, J. (1994a). Enhancing the explanatory power of usability heuristics. Proc. ACM CHI'94 Conf. (Boston, MA, April 24-28), 152-158.</p> <p>Nielsen, J. (1994b). Heuristic evaluation. In Nielsen, J., and Mack, R.L. (Eds.), Usability Inspection Methods, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY.</p> <h3>Citing the Heuristics</h3> <p>You may use these heuristics in your own work. Please credit Jakob Nielsen and provide the address for this page [nngroup.com/articles/ten-usability-heuristics] or cite the paper above [Nielsen 1994a]. If you want to print copies of this page or reproduce the content online, however, please see our <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/copyright-and-reprint-info/">copyright info</a> for details. Copyright © by Jakob Nielsen.ISSN 1548-5552</p> </div> </div> <div class="article-sidebar"> <div class="sidebar-wrapper"> <div class="sidebar-item downloads"> <h2 class="article-heading-small">Free Downloads</h2> <ul> <li> <img src="https://media.nngroup.com/static/img/icons/download_24px.svg" alt=""> <a class="ga-article-file-download" href="//media.nngroup.com/media/articles/attachments/Jakob's10UsabilityHeuristics_AllPosters_5.zip" target="_blank">All Posters - 10 Usability Heuristics <span class="download-type">(ZIP)</span></a> </li> <li> <img src="https://media.nngroup.com/static/img/icons/download_24px.svg" alt=""> <a class="ga-article-file-download" href="//media.nngroup.com/media/articles/attachments/Heuristic_Summary1-compressed.pdf" target="_blank">Summary Poster - 10 Usability Heuristics <span class="download-type">(PDF)</span></a> </li> <li> <img src="https://media.nngroup.com/static/img/icons/download_24px.svg" alt=""> <a class="ga-article-file-download" href="//media.nngroup.com/media/articles/attachments/Heuristic_Summary1_A4_compressed.pdf" target="_blank">Summary Poster, A4 Size - 10 Usability Heuristics <span class="download-type">(PDF)</span></a> </li> <li> <img src="https://media.nngroup.com/static/img/icons/download_24px.svg" alt=""> <a class="ga-article-file-download" href="//media.nngroup.com/media/articles/attachments/Heuristic_Summary1_Letter-compressed.pdf" target="_blank">Summary Poster, Letter Size - 10 Usability Heuristics <span class="download-type">(PDF)</span></a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="sidebar-item related-courses"> <h2 class="article-heading-small">Related Courses</h2> <ul> <li> <a class="tile ga-article-related-course" data-course-title="UX Basic Training" href="/courses/ux-basic-training/?lm=ten-usability-heuristics&pt=article"> <h4 class="title heading-small">UX Basic Training</h4> <p id="ux-basic-training" class="description body-small"> Foundational concepts that everyone should know </p> <div class="ux-specialties"> <p class="ux-specialty interaction-design">Interaction</p> </div> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <span id="gaDataAllTopics" class="ga-data-layer" aria-hidden="true">ten heuristics,Heuristic Evaluation,Top 10</span> <div class="sidebar-item related-topics"> <h2 class="article-heading-small">Related Topics</h2> <ul> <li> <span id="gaDataTopic" class="ga-data-layer" aria-hidden="true">Heuristic Evaluation</span> <a class="ga-article-related-topic" href="/topic/heuristic-evaluation/">Heuristic Evaluation</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </section> <section class="learn-more"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="related-content-container padded"> <h2 class="article-heading-small learn-more-title"> Learn More: </h2> <div class="article-videos"> <div class="article-video cookieconsent-optin-marketing"> <div class="video-container youtube" data-video-id="6Bw0n6Jvwxk" id="videoContainer_6Bw0n6Jvwxk"> </div> </div> <div class="article-video cookieconsent-optout-marketing"> <p> Please <a href="javascript: Cookiebot.renew()">accept marketing cookies</a> to view the embedded video. <br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bw0n6Jvwxk" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bw0n6Jvwxk</a> </p> </div> <div class="article-video-details"> <p class="article-video-title"> Heuristic Evaluation of User Interfaces </p> <span class="article-video-authors body-small"> Jakob Nielsen</span> · <span class="article-video-duration body-small">3 min</span> </div> <div class="related-content related-videos"> <ul class="no-bullet three column grid"> <li> <div class="tile video"> <div class="media"> <a class="ga-article-related-video" data-video-title="Usability Heuristic 8: Aesthetic and Minimalist Design" href="/videos/aesthetic-and-minimalist-design/?lm=ten-usability-heuristics&pt=article" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="thumbnail-image"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/videos/thumbnails/Usability_Heuristic_8_Aesthetic_and_Minimalist_Design_Thumbnail.jpg.650x364_q75_autocrop_crop-smart_upscale.jpg" srcset="https://media.nngroup.com/media/videos/thumbnails/Usability_Heuristic_8_Aesthetic_and_Minimalist_Design_Thumbnail.jpg.650x364_q75_autocrop_crop-smart_upscale.jpg, https://media.nngroup.com/media/videos/thumbnails/Usability_Heuristic_8_Aesthetic_and_Minimalist_Design_Thumbnail.jpg.1300x728_q75_autocrop_crop-smart_upscale.jpg 2x" alt=""> <div class="overlay"> <span class="color icon fab fa-youtube"></span> </div> </div> <div class="content"> <p class="related-content-title"> Usability Heuristic 8: Aesthetic and Minimalist Design </p> <p class="related-content-details"> <span class="related-content-authors body-small"> Kate Moran</span> · <span class="related-content-duration body-small">2 min</span> </p> </div> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li> <div class="tile video"> <div class="media"> <a class="ga-article-related-video" data-video-title="Usability Heuristic 4: Consistency and Standards" href="/videos/usability-heuristic-consistency-standards/?lm=ten-usability-heuristics&pt=article" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="thumbnail-image"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/videos/thumbnails/Usability_Heuristic_4_Consistency_and_Standards_Thumbnail.jpg.650x364_q75_autocrop_crop-smart_upscale.jpg" srcset="https://media.nngroup.com/media/videos/thumbnails/Usability_Heuristic_4_Consistency_and_Standards_Thumbnail.jpg.650x364_q75_autocrop_crop-smart_upscale.jpg, https://media.nngroup.com/media/videos/thumbnails/Usability_Heuristic_4_Consistency_and_Standards_Thumbnail.jpg.1300x728_q75_autocrop_crop-smart_upscale.jpg 2x" alt=""> <div class="overlay"> <span class="color icon fab fa-youtube"></span> </div> </div> <div class="content"> <p class="related-content-title"> Usability Heuristic 4: Consistency and Standards </p> <p class="related-content-details"> <span class="related-content-authors body-small"> Kate Moran</span> · <span class="related-content-duration body-small">3 min</span> </p> </div> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li> <div class="tile video"> <div class="media"> <a class="ga-article-related-video" data-video-title="Usability Heuristic 3: User Control & Freedom" href="/videos/usability-heuristic-user-control-freedom/?lm=ten-usability-heuristics&pt=article" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="thumbnail-image"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/media/videos/thumbnails/Usability_Heuristic_3_User_Control_and_Freedom_Thumbnail.jpg.650x364_q75_autocrop_crop-smart_upscale.jpg" srcset="https://media.nngroup.com/media/videos/thumbnails/Usability_Heuristic_3_User_Control_and_Freedom_Thumbnail.jpg.650x364_q75_autocrop_crop-smart_upscale.jpg, https://media.nngroup.com/media/videos/thumbnails/Usability_Heuristic_3_User_Control_and_Freedom_Thumbnail.jpg.1300x728_q75_autocrop_crop-smart_upscale.jpg 2x" alt=""> <div class="overlay"> <span class="color icon fab fa-youtube"></span> </div> </div> <div class="content"> <p class="related-content-title"> Usability Heuristic 3: User Control & Freedom </p> <p class="related-content-details"> <span class="related-content-authors body-small"> Aurora Harley</span> · <span class="related-content-duration body-small">2 min</span> </p> </div> </a> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="related-content related-articles"> <h2 class="article-heading-small related-articles-title"> Related Articles: </h2> <ul class="no-bullet three column grid"> <li> <a class="tile ga-article-related-article" data-article-title="Visibility of System Status (Usability Heuristic #1)" href="/articles/visibility-system-status/?lm=ten-usability-heuristics&pt=article"> <p class="related-content-title">Visibility of System Status (Usability Heuristic #1)</p> <p class="related-content-details"> <span class="related-content-authors body-small"> Aurora Harley</span> · <span class="related-content-duration body-small">7 min</span> </p> </a> </li> <li> <a class="tile ga-article-related-article" data-article-title="Error-Message Guidelines" href="/articles/error-message-guidelines/?lm=ten-usability-heuristics&pt=article"> <p class="related-content-title">Error-Message Guidelines</p> <p class="related-content-details"> <span class="related-content-authors body-small"> Tim Neusesser and Evan Sunwall</span> · <span class="related-content-duration body-small">6 min</span> </p> </a> </li> <li> <a class="tile ga-article-related-article" data-article-title="Applying UX Principles to the Visual Design of Graphical Artifacts: The Case of the Heuristics Posters" href="/articles/visual-design-heuristics-posters/?lm=ten-usability-heuristics&pt=article"> <p class="related-content-title">Applying UX Principles to the Visual Design of Graphical Artifacts: The Case of the Heuristics Posters</p> <p class="related-content-details"> <span class="related-content-authors body-small"> Kelley Gordon</span> · <span class="related-content-duration body-small">6 min</span> </p> </a> </li> <li> <a class="tile ga-article-related-article" data-article-title="How to Conduct a Heuristic Evaluation" href="/articles/how-to-conduct-a-heuristic-evaluation/?lm=ten-usability-heuristics&pt=article"> <p class="related-content-title">How to Conduct a Heuristic Evaluation</p> <p class="related-content-details"> <span class="related-content-authors body-small"> Kate Moran and Kelley Gordon</span> · <span class="related-content-duration body-small">6 min</span> </p> </a> </li> <li> <a class="tile ga-article-related-article" data-article-title="Maintain Consistency and Adhere to Standards (Usability Heuristic #4)" href="/articles/consistency-and-standards/?lm=ten-usability-heuristics&pt=article"> <p class="related-content-title">Maintain Consistency and Adhere to Standards (Usability Heuristic #4)</p> <p class="related-content-details"> <span class="related-content-authors body-small"> Rachel Krause</span> · <span class="related-content-duration body-small">9 min</span> </p> </a> </li> <li> <a class="tile ga-article-related-article" data-article-title="User Control and Freedom (Usability Heuristic #3)" href="/articles/user-control-and-freedom/?lm=ten-usability-heuristics&pt=article"> <p class="related-content-title">User Control and Freedom (Usability Heuristic #3)</p> <p class="related-content-details"> <span class="related-content-authors body-small"> Maria Rosala</span> · <span class="related-content-duration body-small">8 min</span> </p> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </section> </main> <footer class="footer"> <div class="wrapper row"> <div class="subscribe"> <h2 class="title-large">Subscribe to Our Newsletter</h2> <p class="body-medium">Get weekly UX articles, videos, and upcoming training events straight to your inbox.</p> <form class="form-validated" action="https://nngroup.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=538d934a891681a5d850bb4e5&id=7f29a2b335" id="subscribe-form" method="post" name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" novalidate="" > <div class="form-field"> <div class="outline"> <label class="label-medium">Email</label> <input class="body-small" id="newsletter-subscribe-email" placeholder="norman@gmail.com" name="EMAIL" type="email" value=""> </div> <div class="error-local"></div> </div> <input class="button-fill button-small" name="subscribe" type="submit" value="Subscribe"> </form> </div> <div class="follow"> <h2 class="title-large">Follow Us</h2> <ul> <li class="label-large"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/nielsen-norman-group"> <img width="32" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/static/img/icons/icon-social-linkedin.svg" alt=""> LinkedIn </a> </li> <li class="label-large"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nngux"> <img width="32" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/static/img/icons/icon-social-instagram.svg" alt=""> Instagram </a> </li> <li class="label-large"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2oCugzU6W8-h95W7eBTUEg"> <img width="32" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/static/img/icons/icon-social-youtube.svg" alt=""> Youtube </a> </li> <li class="label-large"> <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nngroup "> <img width="32" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/static/img/icons/icon-social-podcast.svg" alt=""> Podcast </a> </li> <li class="label-large"> <a href="https://twitter.com/nngroup"> <img width="32" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/static/img/icons/icon-social-x.svg" alt=""> X (Twitter) </a> </li> <li class="label-large"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nngux"> <img width="32" loading="lazy" src="https://media.nngroup.com/static/img/icons/icon-social-facebook.svg" alt=""> Facebook </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <section class="navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <ul> <li><span class="title-small">Certification</span> <ul> <li class="body-large"> <a href="/ux-certification/">What is UX Certification?</a> </li> <li class="body-large"> <a href="/ux-certification/specialties/">Specialties</a> </li> <li class="body-large"> <a href="/ux-certification/exams/">Exams</a> </li> <li class="body-large"> <a href="/ux-certification/people/">UX Certified People</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <span class="title-small">UX Training</span> <ul> <li class="body-large"> <a href="/courses/">All Courses</a> </li> <li class="body-large"> <a href="/training/live-courses/">Live Online Courses</a> </li> <li class="body-large"> <a href="/team-training/">Private Team Training</a> </li> <li class="body-large"> <a href="/course-calendar/">Course Calendar</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <span class="title-small">Consulting</span> <ul> <li class="body-large"> <a href="/consulting/expert-review/">Expert Review</a> </li> <li class="body-large"> <a href="/consulting/user-testing/">User Testing</a> </li> <li class="body-large"> <a href="/consulting/user-research/">Customized Research</a> </li> <li class="body-large"> <a href="/consulting/applied-workshops/">Applied Workshops</a> </li> <li class="body-large"> <a href="/consulting/keynote-speaking/">Keynote Speaking</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <span class="title-small">Free Guidance</span> <ul> <li class="body-large"> <a href="/articles/">Articles & Videos</a> </li> <li class="body-large"> <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nngroup">The NN/g UX Podcast</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <span class="title-small">About</span> <ul> <li class="body-large" > <a href="/about/why-nng/">Why NN/g</a> </li> <li class="body-large" > <a href="/about/">About Us</a> </li> <li class="body-large" > <a href="/people/">People</a> </li> <li class="body-large" > <a href="/about/about-client-list/">Clients</a> </li> <li class="body-large" > <a href="/about/contact/">Contact</a> </li> <li class="body-large" > <a href="/return-policy/">Return Policy</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </section> <div class="copyright"> <div class="wrapper"> <p><a href="/copyright-and-reprint-info/">Copyright</a> © 1998-2024 Nielsen Norman Group, All Rights Reserved. </p> <ul> <li id ="cookie-preferences"><a href="javascript:Cookiebot.show();">Cookie Preferences</a></li> <li><a href="/cookie-declaration/">Cookie Declaration</a></li> <li><a href="/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </footer> <button class="back-to-top" title="Back to top"><span class="text"><span class="fas fa-caret-up arrow" aria-hidden="true"></span><br>Top</span></button> <script src="https://media.nngroup.com/static/js/output.dac7ffbca904.js" defer></script> <script src="https://media.nngroup.com/static/js/article-detail.7e820ce13132.js"></script> <script> function pushCookieConsent() { Cookiebot.consent.preferences&&window.dataLayer.push({event:"cookieconsent_preferences"}); Cookiebot.consent.statistics&&window.dataLayer.push({event:"cookieconsent_statistics"}); Cookiebot.consent.marketing&&window.dataLayer.push({event:"cookieconsent_marketing"}); }; window.addEventListener('CookiebotOnAccept', function (e) { pushCookieConsent(); if (Cookiebot.consent.statistics) { // Tell Convert A/B testing that consent has been given window._conv_q = window._conv_q || []; window._conv_q.push(['consentGiven']); } }); window.addEventListener('CookiebotOnDecline', function (e) {}); </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design