Laws & Patterns
UX Law

Law of Proximity

Objects close together are perceived as related

Definition

Items that are spatially close to each other tend to be perceived as belonging to the same group. This Gestalt principle helps users understand relationships and organize information visually.

Do

  • Group related form fields close together
  • Place labels near their corresponding inputs
  • Use consistent spacing to show relationships
  • Separate unrelated content with white space

Avoid

  • Place unrelated elements too close together
  • Use inconsistent spacing that confuses groupings
  • Separate labels too far from their inputs
  • Crowd the interface without logical grouping

When to apply

  • Form design
  • Content layout
  • Navigation grouping
  • Information hierarchy

Related topics

Similar principles

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