Accessibility & inclusive UX

Touch targets and spacing on mobile interfaces

Updated 2026-04-11 · Practical guide for NZ small businesses

Short answer: Tap targets should be large enough to hit without zooming, with spacing so adjacent actions are not mistaken—fat-finger errors are accessibility and conversion issues.

Mobile-first NZ traffic makes this non-optional.

Design targets

  • 44×44 CSS px is a common minimum reference—verify in context.
  • Spacing between destructive and primary actions to prevent slips.
  • Sticky bars that do not cover focused fields or legal consent.

Test on devices

Emulators lie; test mid-range Android and iPhone sizes your analytics show.

Forms and checkout

Steppers and dropdowns are frequent failure points—native controls often behave better.

Frequently asked questions

Does desktop matter?

Yes for pointer precision, but mobile density issues hurt more.

Icon-only buttons?

Provide accessible names and generous hit areas.