Usability heuristics

Practical design principles for checking system status, error prevention, consistency and user control in interfaces.

Principle · Technology and product

Core concepts

• Visibility: communicate progress and results
• Error prevention and recovery: reduce mistakes and provide ways back
• Cognitive effort: use visible cues instead of relying on memory

Application

Use interface reviews to identify potential problems and questions to examine through user observation.

Limitations and jurisdiction

Expert inspection does not replace measurement of real user success. Priorities between principles depend on users and tasks.

Editorial perspectives

• Learnability: prioritize explanation and consistent operation.
• Expert efficiency: prioritize shortcuts for repeated work.

Sources

Jakob Nielsen · Nielsen Norman Group · 1994; reviewed in 2024

Context: International reference; verify the application environment

Source checked: 2026-10-07

Independent editorial summary and source link; the original text is not republished.

Related personas

Translation status

Editorial English translation of the Korean edition. No professional translation or occupational expert review has been completed. Translation does not change the source jurisdiction.

Translation prepared: 2026-10-08 · Source fingerprint: kb-a9acad77fa8abe95

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