Hick’s Law

The principle that the more choices a person faces, the longer they take to decide — a reason to reduce or group options in an interface.

Why it matters

Every added option taxes every user who did not want it. The fix is rarely deleting features — it is grouping, defaults and progressive disclosure: fewer simultaneous choices, same capability.

Feel it

Same task, same target — only the number of choices changed, and so did your milliseconds.

The numbers

log2(n+1) — decision time grows with the log of the choices
Group, default, defer — the three ways to shrink n

Related terms

Gestalt Principles
Heuristic Evaluation
Inclusive Design
Mental Model
Nudge

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WCAG and accessibility law Equity & Accessibility

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