F-Pattern
01 Definition
F-Pattern meaning: A common eye-tracking pattern where people scan text-heavy pages in an F shape.
The F-pattern describes how users often scan dense, text-heavy pages: reading across the top, then across a shorter line lower down, then skimming vertically down the left side. Identified in eye-tracking research, it shows that content further right and lower gets less attention.
Why it matters
How F-Pattern fits the work
Knowing that people skim rather than read every word encourages you to front-load key information and put important words at the start of headings and paragraphs.
In context
Because readers scanned the blog post in an F-pattern, the editor moved the key takeaway to the first line of each section.
Practical note
The F-pattern mainly appears on unformatted text with weak hierarchy. Good headings, bullets, and visuals change scanning behavior, so treat it as a reason to structure content, not a fixed law.