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Dictionary entry

fitts's law

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The rule that the time to click or tap a target depends on how big it is and how far away it is. Bigger, closer buttons are faster and easier to hit, which is why key actions are made large and reachable.

Synonyms

  • fitts law

Related terms

In plain words

  • bigger and closer buttons are easier to click
  • why important buttons are large

Usage example

By Fitts's Law, the designer enlarged the mobile buy button and pinned it within thumb reach.

Don't confuse with…

  • touch targetFitts's Law is the underlying principle; a touch target is the practical minimum tappable size that follows from it.

Categories

  • Usability principles

Related-term graph

Two hops from fitts's law — click a term to open its entry, or re-center the graph on it

Focus term

Directly related

  • Relatedfitts's law related of call to action
  • Relatedfitts's law related of cognitive load
  • Relatedfitts's law related of hick's law
  • Relatedfitts's law related of touch target
  • Relatedhick's law related of cognitive load
  • Relatedhick's law related of fitts's law
  • Relatedtouch target related of focus indicator
  • Relatedcall to action related of ghost button
  • Relatedcognitive load related of hick's law
  • Relatedtouch target related of keyboard navigation
  • Relatedcall to action related of primary button
  • Relatedcognitive load related of progressive disclosure
  • Relatedhick's law related of progressive disclosure
  • Relatedcognitive load related of recognition over recall
  • Synonymtouch target synonym of tap target
  • Relatedcognitive load related of visual hierarchy

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