---
url: /foundations/content-design/style-guide/ux-writing-best-practices.md
description: UI text should be understandable by anyone, anywhere
---

# Style guide

UI text should be understandable by anyone, anywhere

**UX writing best practices** · [Word choice](word-choice.md) · [Grammar and punctuation](grammar-and-punctuation.md)

![Style guide](/assets/fa64e927-mrodh0vv-content-design.DUdcngLP.webp)

### Explain consequences

Emphasize the results of the user’s potential action in neutral, direct language. Avoid cautions or warnings that might sound alarming, intimidating, or condescending. Focus instead on communicating the consequences of a function.

::: tip Do
!["Move to trash?" dialog with the message "Big birthday bash will be deleted after 30 days."](/assets/8fcf4784-lvw0frl1-1_do.BDANyA3y.webp)

Tell users what will happen if they take an action and how they can undo it
:::

::: danger Don't
!["Are you sure you want to move to trash?"dialog with the message "You'll be able to find "Big birthday bash" in your trash for 30 days."](/assets/6cbab18e-lvw0g6jb-2_don-t.BOUnarqU.webp)

Don’t misrepresent consequences or try to influence a user’s decision
:::

### Use scannable words and formats

People scan UI text in search of the most meaningful content to them. Help by using specific titles and headings that clearly describe a topic. When users are skimming or hurrying through an action, this organization helps them avoid mistakes and unintentional actions.

![Easily scannable content with different headings and subheadings on a card.](/assets/b4ee8b4f-lvw0gqx5-3.BYjYyjK0.webp)

Use headings and subheads to prioritize and group information

### Use sentence case

Unless otherwise specified, use sentence-style capitalization, where only the first letter of the first word in a sentence or phrase is capitalized. All text, including titles, headings, labels, menu items, navigation components, app bars, and buttons should use sentence-style capitalization.

Products and branded terms may also be capitalized.

::: tip Do
![Sentence-style capitalization used for the title and consequence statement in a dialog.](/assets/7c182f20-lvw0hrme-4_do.45K7MoZb.webp)

Capitalize the first word of a sentence or phrase
:::

::: danger Don't
![Title casing used for the title in a dialog.](/assets/43ef4105-lvw0i4xj-5_don-t.BZ_Mf4HK.webp)

Don’t use title case capitalization. Instead, use sentence case.
:::

### Use abbreviations sparingly

Spell out words whenever possible. Shortened forms of words can be difficult for people to understand and screen readers to read. Avoid Latin abbreviations in UI text such as e.g. or etc. Instead, use full phrases like "for example," or "and more."

::: tip Do
![AM and PM abbreviations used on a clock app.](/assets/7ac17530-lvw0j9q3-6_do.DZfobtk7.webp)

When an abbreviation is appropriate, make sure it’s formatted and spelled correctly to avoid confusion
:::

::: danger Don't
![Abbreviations used for months and days on buttons when there is enough space to spell them out.](/assets/d104ecd6-lvw0jnlb-7_don-t.CHYUkWDP.webp)

Avoid using abbreviations when there’s space to spell out a word
:::