ABSTRACT
Large buttons that protrude from a system or control panel are more susceptible to inadvertent actuation due to accidental bumps. Make buttons large and ensure there is sufficient space between buttons to facilitate efficient use and prevent unintended button presses. Pressing the wrong button—everyone has done it, and usually without consequences greater than causing an elevator to stop at the wrong floor or switching to the wrong TV channel. Although making a button large cannot prevent mistakes wherein someone deliberately presses the wrong button, it can prevent unintended button presses due to poor aim and/or close proximity between buttons. Many of the guidelines apply to software; larger, on-screen buttons with sufficient spacing will likely increase the accuracy of button presses, particularly on small smartphone screens. A large button naturally increases the center-to-center spacing between adjacent buttons, making it less likely that someone with a broad fingertip unintentionally presses a neighboring button.
