What Is Fitts’ Law?
Jun 9, 2025
·
3 min read
Ever wondered why big buttons are easier to click? Or why do corners of a screen feel easier to reach? These aren't happy accidents—they're explained by Fitts’ Law, a foundational principle in human-computer interaction.
In this post, we’ll answer the question "What is Fitts’ Law", and show how this simple concept can help you design faster, more intuitive interfaces.
What is Fitts’ Law?
Fitts’ Law is a predictive model of human movement. It states that the time required to move to a target depends on two things:
The distance to the target
The size of the target
The original formula, introduced by psychologist Paul Fitts in 1954, was used to measure the speed and accuracy of physical movements. In digital product design, we use it to make clickable elements easier and quicker to access.
Why Fitts’ Law matters in UX design
Fitts’ Law explains why users struggle with tiny buttons or awkwardly placed links. If it takes too long to move your cursor (or finger) to a UI element, the interaction becomes frustrating.
In practical terms:
Larger and closer = faster
Smaller and farther = slower
By understanding this relationship, designers can create interfaces that feel more effortless to use.
Real-world examples of Fitts’ Law
Large CTA buttons
Primary buttons like “Buy Now” or “Submit” should be big enough to be quickly clickable, especially on mobile devices. Small, cramped buttons slow people down and cause misclicks.
Thumb zones on mobile
Phones are used one-handed, so tap targets should sit comfortably within the natural thumb zone. Fitts’ Law helps justify placing important actions near the bottom of the screen—where thumbs rest naturally.
Edges and corners are powerful
According to Fitts’ Law, the corners and edges of a screen are effectively infinite in size—they stop the pointer automatically. That’s why macOS puts controls like the Apple menu in screen corners. It’s fast to hit, even without precision.
Toolbars and menus
Toolbars with small icons spaced far apart create friction. Group related actions close together and ensure each has enough size to be tapped or clicked easily.
Best practices for using Fitts’ Law in design
1. Make interactive elements bigger
Don't make users aim for a pixel-perfect target. Buttons, icons, and links should be easy to tap or click without precision.
2. Reduce distance to important actions
Place frequently used controls near where the user’s focus naturally is. This minimizes the effort needed to reach them.
3. Group related actions together
Avoid scattering buttons or icons across the screen. Grouping them reduces the distance between sequential actions, speeding up task flows.
4. Avoid tiny click targets
Text links, checkboxes, or icons that are too small can frustrate users—especially on touch devices. Give these elements padding or increase their clickable area.
Common mistakes to avoid
Cramming small actions into corners without space
Hiding key functions behind nested menus
Not accounting for mobile hand movement
Over-relying on hover effects instead of large, visible buttons
Even well-designed visuals can fall flat if interactive areas are too difficult to reach or too small to comfortably hit.
In summary
What is Fitts’ Law? It’s the idea that the easier something is to reach and the bigger it is, the faster users can interact with it. This principle is essential in creating digital products that feel smooth and easy to use—especially when speed and efficiency matter.
By applying Fitts’ Law, you create interfaces that reduce effort and improve user satisfaction—one tap at a time.
What is Fitts’ Law?
Fitts’ Law is a predictive model of human movement. It states that the time required to move to a target depends on two things:
The distance to the target
The size of the target
The original formula, introduced by psychologist Paul Fitts in 1954, was used to measure the speed and accuracy of physical movements. In digital product design, we use it to make clickable elements easier and quicker to access.
Why Fitts’ Law matters in UX design
Fitts’ Law explains why users struggle with tiny buttons or awkwardly placed links. If it takes too long to move your cursor (or finger) to a UI element, the interaction becomes frustrating.
In practical terms:
Larger and closer = faster
Smaller and farther = slower
By understanding this relationship, designers can create interfaces that feel more effortless to use.
Real-world examples of Fitts’ Law
Large CTA buttons
Primary buttons like “Buy Now” or “Submit” should be big enough to be quickly clickable, especially on mobile devices. Small, cramped buttons slow people down and cause misclicks.
Thumb zones on mobile
Phones are used one-handed, so tap targets should sit comfortably within the natural thumb zone. Fitts’ Law helps justify placing important actions near the bottom of the screen—where thumbs rest naturally.
Edges and corners are powerful
According to Fitts’ Law, the corners and edges of a screen are effectively infinite in size—they stop the pointer automatically. That’s why macOS puts controls like the Apple menu in screen corners. It’s fast to hit, even without precision.
Toolbars and menus
Toolbars with small icons spaced far apart create friction. Group related actions close together and ensure each has enough size to be tapped or clicked easily.
Best practices for using Fitts’ Law in design
1. Make interactive elements bigger
Don't make users aim for a pixel-perfect target. Buttons, icons, and links should be easy to tap or click without precision.
2. Reduce distance to important actions
Place frequently used controls near where the user’s focus naturally is. This minimizes the effort needed to reach them.
3. Group related actions together
Avoid scattering buttons or icons across the screen. Grouping them reduces the distance between sequential actions, speeding up task flows.
4. Avoid tiny click targets
Text links, checkboxes, or icons that are too small can frustrate users—especially on touch devices. Give these elements padding or increase their clickable area.
Common mistakes to avoid
Cramming small actions into corners without space
Hiding key functions behind nested menus
Not accounting for mobile hand movement
Over-relying on hover effects instead of large, visible buttons
Even well-designed visuals can fall flat if interactive areas are too difficult to reach or too small to comfortably hit.
In summary
What is Fitts’ Law? It’s the idea that the easier something is to reach and the bigger it is, the faster users can interact with it. This principle is essential in creating digital products that feel smooth and easy to use—especially when speed and efficiency matter.
By applying Fitts’ Law, you create interfaces that reduce effort and improve user satisfaction—one tap at a time.
If you aren't following us on Instagram already, you're seriously missing out! Become a part of our ever-growing community and learn something new from the field of product design every. single. day.
Happy designing! 🥳
andrija & supercharge design team
If you aren't following us on Instagram already, you're seriously missing out! Become a part of our ever-growing community and learn something new from the field of product design every. single. day.
Happy designing! 🥳
andrija & supercharge design team
