User Experience
Affordance
Plain English
Clues in the design that show users what they can do.
Definition
Affordance refers to how the design of an element suggests its possible actions. It helps users understand what they can do without needing instructions.
In practice
Used in glossaryUsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term to make actions obvious, such as buttons looking clickable or links appearing interactive.
The reality
If users have to guess what something does, the design has failed.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is affordance in UX?
Affordance is how design suggests what actions are possible.
Why is affordance important?
It helps users understand how to interact with a product without instructions.
What is an example of affordance?
A button that looks clickable or a slider that looks draggable.
What happens when affordance is poor?
Users become confused and may not complete actions.
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