10 Button Widths Design System Best Practices

Buttons are an essential part of any user interface. They are used to initiate an action, such as submitting a form or navigating to a new page. Buttons come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s important to ensure that they are designed with the user experience in mind.

In this article, we’ll discuss 10 best practices for designing button widths in a design system. We’ll cover topics such as consistency, accessibility, and usability, as well as how to use the right widths for different types of buttons. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your buttons are easy to use and look great.

1. Establish a consistent button width across all platforms

Consistency is key when it comes to user experience. When users are presented with a consistent button width across all platforms, they can easily recognize and interact with the buttons without having to think too much about how to use them. This helps create an intuitive user experience that encourages engagement and reduces confusion.

Establishing a consistent button width also makes it easier for designers and developers to work together on projects. By setting a standard size for buttons, everyone involved in the project knows what to expect and can plan accordingly. This saves time and effort by eliminating the need to constantly adjust sizes or make changes due to inconsistencies.

To establish a consistent button width, start by defining the minimum and maximum widths for each platform. Then, determine the optimal width based on the context of the design. For example, if you’re designing a mobile app, the optimal width may be smaller than if you were designing a website. Once you have determined the optimal width, stick to it across all platforms.

2. Define the maximum and minimum widths for buttons

The main purpose of defining the maximum and minimum widths for buttons is to ensure consistency across all user interfaces. By setting a standard size range, designers can create buttons that are visually consistent with each other, making it easier for users to recognize them. This also helps maintain a unified look and feel throughout the entire product.

Defining the maximum and minimum widths for buttons also ensures that they are large enough to be easily clickable on any device or screen size. If the button is too small, it may be difficult for users to accurately tap or click on it. On the other hand, if the button is too large, it may take up too much space on the page and make the interface cluttered.

To define the maximum and minimum widths for buttons, designers should consider factors such as the type of content being displayed, the amount of text in the button, and the overall layout of the page. Additionally, designers should test their designs on different devices and screen sizes to ensure that the buttons are easy to use and clickable.

3. Consider user context when defining button widths

The size of a button should be determined by the amount of space it needs to effectively communicate its purpose. If a button is too small, users may not be able to read or understand what it does. On the other hand, if a button is too large, it can take up valuable screen real estate and make the interface feel cluttered.

When considering user context when defining button widths, designers must consider factors such as device type, language, and content length. For example, buttons on mobile devices need to be larger than those on desktop computers due to the smaller screen size. Additionally, buttons with longer labels will require more space than those with shorter labels.

Designers should also consider how many buttons are being used in an interface. If there are multiple buttons, they should be spaced out evenly so that each one has enough room to stand out from the others. This helps ensure that users can easily identify and interact with the desired button.

4. Ensure that buttons are large enough to be easily tapped or clicked

The size of a button is an important factor in user experience. If buttons are too small, users may have difficulty tapping or clicking them accurately and quickly. This can lead to frustration and confusion as they try to navigate the interface. Additionally, if buttons are too small, it can be difficult for users with disabilities to interact with them.

To ensure that buttons are large enough to be easily tapped or clicked, designers should use a Button Widths Design System. This system provides guidelines on how wide buttons should be based on their purpose and context. For example, primary action buttons such as “Submit” or “Save” should be larger than secondary action buttons such as “Cancel” or “Delete”. The system also recommends minimum sizes for buttons depending on the device being used (e.g., desktop, tablet, mobile).

Using this system helps designers create consistent and accessible interfaces by ensuring that all buttons are easy to tap or click. It also ensures that users can quickly and accurately complete tasks without having to struggle with tiny buttons.

5. Make sure buttons are not too wide, as this can cause usability issues

When buttons are too wide, they can be difficult to click on with a mouse or finger. This is because the user has to move their cursor or finger further than necessary in order to accurately select the button. This can lead to frustration and confusion for users, as well as an overall poor user experience.

To ensure that buttons are not too wide, designers should use a Button Widths Design System. This system allows designers to quickly and easily create buttons of different sizes based on the content within them. For example, if a button contains a long word or phrase, it will need to be wider than a button containing a short word or phrase. The design system also ensures that all buttons have consistent widths across the entire website or application.

6. Avoid using fixed units (e.g. pixels) when setting button widths

Using fixed units can lead to buttons that are too wide or too narrow for the content they contain. This can cause a number of issues, such as making it difficult for users to interact with the button, and creating an inconsistent user experience across different devices.

Instead, designers should use relative units (e.g. percentages) when setting button widths. This allows them to create buttons that are sized appropriately for their content, regardless of device size. It also ensures that all buttons within a design system have consistent sizes, which helps maintain a cohesive look and feel throughout the product.

When using relative units, designers should consider the context in which the button will be used. For example, if the button is part of a larger form, then its width should be based on the overall width of the form. Additionally, designers should take into account any padding or margins around the button, as these can affect how much space the button takes up.

7. Test different button widths with users to determine the optimal size

Testing different button widths with users is a great way to ensure that the buttons are easy to use and understand. By testing different sizes, designers can get an idea of how users interact with the buttons and what size works best for them. This helps to create a design system that is tailored to the user’s needs and preferences.

The process of testing different button widths with users involves creating multiple versions of the same button with varying widths. These versions should then be tested with real users in order to determine which size works best. The results from these tests can then be used to inform the Button Widths Design System.

It is important to note that when testing different button widths with users, it is important to consider factors such as device type, screen size, and context. For example, if the button is being used on a mobile device, it may need to be smaller than if it were being used on a desktop computer. Additionally, the context in which the button is being used should also be taken into account. If the button is part of a larger form or page, its size should be adjusted accordingly.

8. Take into account accessibility requirements when designing button widths

When designing buttons, it is important to consider the needs of users with disabilities. For example, people who are visually impaired may need larger buttons in order to be able to see and interact with them. Additionally, people with motor impairments may require larger buttons that are easier to press or click on.

The Button Widths Design System provides a set of guidelines for creating accessible button widths. These guidelines include setting minimum and maximum sizes for buttons, as well as providing guidance on how to adjust the size of buttons based on user input. This ensures that all users can access and use the buttons regardless of their abilities.

Additionally, the system also takes into account other factors such as screen size and device type when determining the optimal button width. This helps ensure that buttons are displayed correctly across different devices and platforms.

9. Allow users to customize their own button widths if needed

Customizing button widths is beneficial for user experience. It allows users to adjust the size of buttons based on their individual needs and preferences, making it easier for them to interact with the interface. This can be especially helpful for people with disabilities who may need larger or smaller buttons in order to use the system effectively.

The process of customizing button widths should be simple and straightforward. The design system should provide a range of preset sizes that users can choose from, as well as an option to manually enter a specific size if needed. Additionally, the system should allow users to save their preferred settings so they don’t have to re-enter them each time they use the system.

10. Utilize responsive design techniques to ensure optimal button widths on different devices

Responsive design techniques allow for the same content to be displayed on different devices in an optimized way. This means that buttons will appear with the correct widths regardless of device size or orientation, ensuring a consistent user experience across all platforms.

To achieve this, developers should use relative units such as percentages and ems instead of absolute units like pixels when defining button widths. This allows the browser to automatically adjust the width of the button based on the size of the screen it is being viewed on. Additionally, media queries can be used to define specific breakpoints at which the button widths should change.