Fitts’s Law
Optimizing button size and placement to minimize user effort and speed up interactions.
Definition
Fitts’s Law says the farther away and smaller a target is, the longer it takes to click or tap it.
At its core, this UX principle models human motor behavior: movement time increases with distance and decreases with target size.
In human-computer interaction, mastering Fitts’s Law means you place your most important buttons and taps within easy reach, big enough and close enough to minimize friction.
By optimizing target size and proximity, you reduce user effort, cut down misclicks, and boost task speed.
It’s a foundational concept for designing intuitive interfaces, from mobile apps to sprawling dashboards.
Real world example
Think about the Gmail compose button: it’s a large, colorful circle anchored at the bottom-right of the screen, so you can’t miss it. That size and placement obey Fitts’s Law, letting you compose an email with zero hand gymnastics.
Real world example
Fitts’s Law is critical in user onboarding flows where “Next” or “Skip” buttons must be prominent. On crowded pricing pages, plan tier-selection toggles large enough to click instantly. Within complex navigation menus, especially mega menus, group and size items to limit cursor travel. On mobile toolbars, place primary actions at screen edges or bottom corners for thumb-friendly reach.
What are the key benefits?
Everything you need to make smarter growth decisions, without the guesswork or wasted time.
Make primary actions at least 44px tall on touch screens.
Group related buttons close together to reduce travel distance.
Anchor high-frequency controls at screen edges or corners.
What are the key benefits?
Everything you need to make smarter growth decisions, without the guesswork or wasted time.
Don’t shrink critical buttons below 32px, you’ll invite misclicks.
Don’t scatter key actions across the interface; avoid random placement.
Don’t bury primary CTA in dropdowns or hidden menus.
Frequently asked questions
Growth co-pilot turns your toughest product questions into clear, data-backed recommendations you can act on immediately.
How big should touch targets be according to Fitts’s Law?
Aim for a minimum of 44×44 pixels on mobile. That size balances real estate with ease of tap, cutting down errors and boosting speed.
Does Fitts’s Law apply to keyboard navigation?
Yes, it translates to key proximity and size. Group related keys in custom interfaces and ensure focusable elements are spaced to reduce tabbing time.
Can I violate Fitts’s Law for aesthetic reasons?
You can, but at the cost of usability. If a design choice makes your primary buttons smaller or farther, you’ll sacrifice speed and frustrate users.
How do I measure Fitts’s Law in my product?
Use analytics to track misclick rates and time-on-task for key flows. Heatmaps and session recordings reveal if targets are too small or too far apart.
What’s the difference between Fitts’s Law and Hick’s Law?
Fitts’s Law focuses on movement distance and target size, while Hick’s Law deals with decision time as choices increase. Both optimize UX, but address different friction points.
Stop Losing Clicks
Every misclick is a broken flow. Run your core flows through the CrackGrowth diagnostic to map out Fitts’s Law violations and reclaim speed.