UX Laws & Principles
Research-backed UX laws, principles, and methods connected to real insights
Hick's Law
The time it takes to make a decision increases with the number and complexity of choices. ### Minimize choices Minimize choices when response times are critical to decrease decision time. ### Smaller steps Break complex tasks into smaller steps in order to decrease cognitive load. ### Provide recommendations Avoid overwhelming users by highlighting recommended options. ### Progressive onboarding Use progressive onboarding to minimize cognitive load for new users. ### Simplification Be careful not to simplify to the point of abstraction.
Miller's Law
The average person can only keep 7±2 items in their working memory.
Occam's Razor
Among competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected. In design, simpler solutions are usually better than complex ones.
Paradox of the Active User
Active users prefer to spend minimal time learning about a system, even if it means working less efficiently in the long run.
Serial Position Effect
Users have a propensity to best remember the first and last items in a series.
Stroop Effect
The delay in reaction time when the name of a color is printed in a color not denoted by the name, demonstrating that automatic reading can interfere with color identification.
Zeigarnik Effect
People remember interrupted or incomplete tasks better than completed tasks.
About UX Laws
UX Laws connect theoretical principles with real research insights. Each law is linked to supporting research findings from usability studies, helping you make evidence-based design decisions.