The UI Elements Glossary by Nielsen Norman Group is a comprehensive reference that defines common user interface components and design patterns used in digital products. The glossary is designed to help UX practitioners, designers, developers, and stakeholders align on terminology and better communicate during the design and development process. It includes visual examples and concise definitions for standard elements like accordions, breadcrumbs, carousels, dropdowns, modals, tooltips, and more—clarifying both their structure and intended interaction behavior.
Each entry includes a plain-language explanation and sometimes a note on best practices or usability concerns. This makes the glossary especially valuable for onboarding new team members or ensuring consistent use of UI patterns across a product or organization. While foundational in nature, the content reflects current design standards and includes references to user expectations, accessibility, and interaction design principles. As with most NN/g content, the glossary is grounded in usability research and real-world application.
