Cognitive Load

Cognitive load refers to the mental effort required to process information and complete a task. It helps researchers and designers understand how easily users can interact with a product and its features. When cognitive load is high—such as when users encounter too much information or complex instructions—it can lead to frustration, errors, and drop-off.

Cognitive load in UX is often categorized into:

Intrinsic load: The essential mental effort required by the task itself, such as following steps in a process

Extraneous load: Unnecessary effort caused by poor design or distractions, like confusing instructions or cluttered interfaces

Germane load: Productive effort that helps users learn and perform tasks better, such as tooltips or helpful hints