Hick's Law

The time it takes to make a decision increases with the number and complexity of choices.

Overview

Hick's Law (or the Hick-Hyman Law) describes the time it takes for a person to make a decision as a function of the number of possible choices they have.

This principle is crucial in user interface design, suggesting that reducing the number of options can lead to faster decision-making and better user experiences.

Mathematical Formula

T = b log₂(n + 1)

Where:

• T is the decision time
• b is an empirical constant
• n is the number of choices

Design Applications

1. Limit the number of navigation options
2. Break complex processes into steps
3. Use progressive disclosure to reveal options as needed
4. Group similar options into categories

Examples

Code Example

// Example of progressive disclosure in a form
function showAdditionalFields(showFields) {
  const additionalFields = document.getElementById('additional-fields');
  additionalFields.style.display = showFields ? 'block' : 'none';
}