Badge
Best Practices
When using badges, clarity and hierarchy are crucial. Their compact form factor makes them ideal for highlighting unread notifications, alerting users to new activity, or showing incremental updates (such as a cart item count). Overusing badges can clutter the screen, so it’s best to apply them sparingly and in contexts where immediate attention or quick scanning is essential. Ensuring that badges remain recognizable and do not interfere with surrounding elements or text helps maintain a balanced layout.
Style
Badges often appear as circular or pill-shaped elements, sized to accommodate a single-digit or short label. High contrast between the badge’s foreground (text or icon) and background ensures legibility, particularly on small screens. A bold color can help draw attention, but it should align with the app’s color palette and accessibility standards. Rounded edges or circular shapes are common, reflecting iOS design language and enhancing discoverability without dominating the interface.
Content
Most badges display numeric or symbolic information to inform users about a status or quantity. For example, a “3” might indicate unread messages, whereas an icon-based badge could highlight a special condition (like a priority or warning). Labels need to be succinct—often just a number or a short abbreviation—since space is extremely limited. If more context is required, consider pairing badges with tooltips or expanding information in a more prominent interface element.
Role
Notifications. Show updated counts or alerts, prompting users to check new messages, notifications, or tasks.
Status Indicators. Reflect current states, such as “online,” “busy,” or “important,” typically using an icon or short text.
Progress Tracking. In some cases, badges can represent steps completed or levels attained, offering a quick visual reference for user milestones.
By integrating badges thoughtfully, designers can underscore key information without overwhelming the interface. Restraint in usage, careful color choices, and concise content ensure badges enhance the overall user experience on mobile devices.
