Plain Language Design

Plain language design applies clear, direct writing principles to user interfaces. Plain language helps users with cognitive disabilities, limited literacy, or non-native language proficiency while improving usability for everyone.

What Is Plain Language Design

Plain language is communication that users can understand the first time they read or hear it. Applied to design, plain language means interface text, instructions, and content that are immediately clear without requiring re-reading or interpretation.

Plain language design encompasses:

• Button and label text
• Error messages
• Help text and instructions
• Navigation and menus
• Form field labels
• Confirmation and success messages
• Onboarding content

This aligns with WCAG guidelines on understandable content and supports users with cognitive accessibility needs.

How Plain Language Design Works

Direct instructions tell users exactly what to do. Avoid ambiguous or vague language:

User-focused language puts users first rather than system-centric terminology:

Specific language provides exact information rather than generalities:

Jargon-free writing uses words users understand rather than internal terminology:

Consistent terminology uses the same words for the same concepts throughout the interface. If “account” is used in one place, do not switch to “profile” elsewhere for the same thing.

Action-oriented labels focus on what users will accomplish rather than abstract actions:

Key Considerations

• Write from the user’s perspective, not the system’s
• Use specific rather than vague language
• Avoid jargon and internal terminology
• Maintain consistent terms throughout the interface
• Focus labels on user goals and outcomes
• Test content with actual users
• Document plain language guidelines for content creators

Common Questions

How does plain language work with brand voice?

Plain language and brand voice are compatible. Brand voice defines personality and tone; plain language ensures clarity. A brand can be friendly, professional, or playful while still being clear.

What plain language excludes is obscuring meaning for style. Clever wordplay that sacrifices clarity does not serve users.

Should plain language guidelines be part of design systems?

Yes. Design systems often define component content guidelines, specifying how to write button labels, error messages, and other UI text. Plain language principles should be embedded in these guidelines.

Content patterns within design systems can provide approved language for common scenarios (success messages, validation errors, empty states) that follow plain language principles.

How can plain language be tested?

Testing approaches include:

• Readability tools measuring complexity
• User testing with diverse literacy levels
• A/B testing different phrasings
• Asking users to explain what content means
• Hallway testing with quick comprehension checks

If users struggle to understand or misinterpret content, revise toward plainer language.

Summary

Plain language design creates immediately understandable interface text through direct instructions, user-focused language, specific details, and jargon-free writing. Applying plain language to buttons, messages, and instructions improves accessibility for users with diverse cognitive and literacy abilities.