UX Design
Affordance
An affordance is a property of an object that suggests how it can be used. A button looks pressable; a slider looks draggable.
Why it matters
Good affordances let people understand an interface without instructions. When the design hints at how it works, users feel capable instead of confused.
In depth
The term comes from psychologist James Gibson and was brought into design by Don Norman. In digital products, affordances are often perceived rather than physical — we rely on visual cues like depth, color, and shape to communicate what an element does. When affordances are weak or misleading, people hesitate, click the wrong thing, or give up.
Real-world example
A door handle shaped like a bar invites you to pull, while a flat plate invites you to push. On screen, a raised, shadowed button affords clicking.
Hover, click, or tab to the button. Each state needs its own visible signal.
Related terms