A comprehensive list of UI and UX rules for designing and writing text in mobile apps. Relevant for designers, product managers and developers.

1. 20 UI/UX Rules for
Designing Text in Mobile Apps

2. Make it short, clear, and aesthetic

3. 1. “Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out
the wrong words.”

5. 2. UI consistency is only noticed when it’s
missing.

7. 3. Whenever numbers are involved - use
numerals.

9. 4. Whenever possible, use today, yesterday and
tomorrow instead of dates.

11. 5. Users don’t read the question, so the text of
the option buttons should include the actions
themselves...

13. 6. Shorten your CTA button text and combine it with a
header to increase clarity

15. 7. User-friendly error messages need to include the
following:
1. What was the problem?
2. Why it happened?
3. How to solve it?

17. 8. Think about localization from day one.
For example, German words can get 200% longer than English ones - make sure
your design can host significantly longer words by maintaining spare spaces whenever possible.

19. 9. Keep your distance!
Don’t let any of your texts get too close to standard margins (left/right) or top/bottom elements -
spacing is your #1 friend if you want your text to be noticeable.

21. 10. Don’t be afraid to break the boundaries of your
page.
Mobile scrolling is natural - embrace it and double your whitespaces.

23. 11. Pay attention to text alignment:
Center alignment works well for short sections or as a virtual separator.
Left alignment is easier to read, therefore better for longer sentences.

25. 12. Aim to eliminate orphans and widows.

27. 13. If your headlines get too long - consider using
eyebrow headlines.

29. The Mobile Spoon
More tips and guides at:

30. 14. Keep an eye on hierarchy (size, distance
between elements, etc.).

32. 15. Don’t be weird.

33. 16. Measure your leading space.
A good rule is to set the leading 2-5pt larger than the type size, depending on
the typeface.

35. 17. Long or short lines can be tiring.
Optimize the width of each line (the measure) and aim for 40-80 characters

37. 18. Refrain from using too many font.

39. 19. Black color increases eye strain. Avoid using
black and use dark Gray instead.

41. 20. To make a sentence stand out without using a
bold font - enlarge the font and increase padding.

43. Read the complete 40 rules guide in here:
A comprehensive guide for
designing text in mobile apps

44. Design tips for managing on-screen keyboards
How to manage your app keyboard
without messing the usability

45. How to design a successful mobile app
7 Must-Have Ingredients for
Creating a True Mobile Experience

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