Visual Foundations
Law of Proximity
Items placed close together are seen as related.
See it
Don't
- Labels sit exactly halfway between two fields
- Gaps between groups equal gaps inside groups
Do
Name
Jane
Email
jane@site.com
Company
Acme
Why it matters
Things close together read as a group. Labels should sit tight to their own field and far from the next one, otherwise users can't tell which label belongs to which input.
How to apply it
- Keep a label closer to its own field than to the field above
- Use bigger gaps between groups than inside them
- Cluster related cards, filters and settings visibly
Common mistakes
- Equal spacing everywhere
- Separating a price from the plan it belongs to
Quick answers
What is Law of Proximity?
Items placed close together are seen as related. Things close together read as a group. Labels should sit tight to their own field and far from the next one, otherwise users can't tell which label belongs to which input.
How do I apply Law of Proximity in UI design?
Keep a label closer to its own field than to the field above. Use bigger gaps between groups than inside them. Cluster related cards, filters and settings visibly.
What are common mistakes with Law of Proximity?
Equal spacing everywhere. Separating a price from the plan it belongs to.