Adaptive Design
Adaptive design refers to graphical user interface (GUI) design that adapts to different screen sizes.
Why it matters
Where responsive design pours one fluid layout across every screen, adaptive serves distinct fixed layouts per breakpoint — more control over each, and more upkeep for all: every new device class is another layout to maintain.
See it
Three fixed layouts, not one fluid one — each breakpoint gets its own arrangement, and its own upkeep.
The numbers
- 320, 480, 760, 960, 1200, 1600 — the six classic adaptive widths
Related terms
Ask your assistant
Define "Adaptive Design" using uxspot. Works in Claude, Cursor or any MCP client — connect the uxspot MCP.
Think it stuck? A 20-second round of Spot Check will tell you.