Interaction & Behavior
Doherty Threshold
Productivity peaks when system response stays under ~400ms.
In practice
Takeaways
- 1
Sub-400ms feedback keeps users in flow.
- 2
Use skeleton states that mirror final content shape.
- 3
Avoid blocking the UI while background work completes.
Origins
The Doherty Threshold emerged from research on human–computer pacing: when systems respond quickly enough, interaction feels like a conversation rather than a wait. Delays beyond a few hundred milliseconds break rhythm and increase perceived effort.
Performance is therefore a core UX responsibility, not only an engineering metric.
Design Applications
- Optimistic UI can make actions feel immediate.
- Prefer skeleton loaders over generic spinners.
- Animate transitions around 200–300ms for responsiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Further Reading
Related Principles
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Interaction & Behavior
Flow
Immersive focus emerges when challenge matches skill without interruption.
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Memory & Recall
Working Memory
Temporary storage for information needed to complete a task.
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Interaction & Behavior
Fitts's Law
Time to reach a target depends on its size and distance.
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