RecognitionOverRecall [fact] v1.0.0

Nielsen Heuristic 6 — Recognition Rather Than Recall: Minimize the user's memory load by making objects, actions, and options visible. The user should not have to remember information from one part of the interface to another.

Confidence

proven

Evidence

@nielsen/source-nielsen-1994

Heuristic Number

6

Violations

• Modal dialogs that require users to remember values from a previous screen to fill in a form.
• Icon-only toolbars with no tooltips — users must memorize what each icon does.
• Autocomplete that only appears after typing 3+ characters — user must already know the exact term.
• Pagination without page number display — user must mentally track which page they are on.

RecognitionOverRecall [fact] v1.0.0

Nielsen Heuristic 6 — Recognition Rather Than Recall: Minimize the user's memory load by making objects, actions, and options visible. The user should not have to remember information from one part of the interface to another.

Confidence

proven

Evidence

@nielsen/source-nielsen-1994

Heuristic Number

6

Violations

• Modal dialogs that require users to remember values from a previous screen to fill in a form.
• Icon-only toolbars with no tooltips — users must memorize what each icon does.
• Autocomplete that only appears after typing 3+ characters — user must already know the exact term.
• Pagination without page number display — user must mentally track which page they are on.

Examples

• Command palette showing available commands with keyboard shortcuts (e.g., Linear's Cmd+K interface).
• Recent files list in the File menu — users recognize their work rather than typing a path.
• Form field labels remaining visible above the input even when text is typed (floating labels).
• Breadcrumb navigation showing the current path in a hierarchical structure.

Confidence

proven

Evidence

@nielsen/source-nielsen-1994

Heuristic Number

6

Violations

• Modal dialogs that require users to remember values from a previous screen to fill in a form.
• Icon-only toolbars with no tooltips — users must memorize what each icon does.
• Autocomplete that only appears after typing 3+ characters — user must already know the exact term.
• Pagination without page number display — user must mentally track which page they are on.