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 glossaryInterfaceAn interface is the point of interaction between a user and a system, where inputs are made and outputs are received. It can be visual, physical, or conversational.Open glossary term design to make actions obvious, such as buttons looking clickable or links appearing interactive.
In context
Flat glossaryInterfaceAn interface is the point of interaction between a user and a system, where inputs are made and outputs are received. It can be visual, physical, or conversational.Open glossary term cost real affordance and bought visual calm. The tell is a user hovering over text wondering whether it is a link.
The reality
If users have to guess what something does, the design has failed.
Compared with
Affordance vs Signifier
An affordance is what an element makes possible. A signifier is the cue that communicates it. A clickable div affords clicking and, without a signifier, tells nobody. Most glossaryInterfaceAn interface is the point of interaction between a user and a system, where inputs are made and outputs are received. It can be visual, physical, or conversational.Open glossary term problems are missing signifiers, not missing affordances.
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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