Design Progressive Disclosure
Psychology & UX Laws · cognitive load, progressive disclosure
Updated 2026-07-28
- Do not show everything immediately.
- Reveal complexity only when users need it.
- Use layers:
First layer
- Essential information.
- Primary action.
Second layer
- Supporting options.
- Additional controls.
Third layer
- Advanced settings.
- Expert workflows.
- Too much information creates hesitation.
- Too little information creates confusion.
- Good design gives users the right amount of information at the right moment.
- Do not show everything at once.
- Reveal complexity when users need it.
- Layer information:
First:
Second:
Third:
- Examples:
- Simple editor first.
- Advanced settings later.
- Progressive disclosure keeps interfaces approachable without limiting experts.
- Show complexity only when needed.
- First layer:
- Second layer:
- Third layer:
- Users should not pay the complexity cost before they need the feature.
Related guides
UX Handbook