Z-Pattern
01 Definition
Z-Pattern meaning: A scanning path where the eye moves across the top, diagonally, then across the bottom.
The Z-pattern describes how people scan simpler, less text-dense pages: left to right across the top, diagonally down to the opposite corner, then left to right across the bottom. Designers place logos, key messages, and calls to action along this path to match natural eye movement.
Why it matters
How Z-Pattern fits the work
Aligning important elements with a natural scanning path helps a simple layout, like a landing page or hero section, deliver its message and action in the order people look.
In context
On the landing page, the logo sat top left, the tagline top right, and the signup button bottom right, following a Z-pattern.
Practical note
The Z-pattern suits sparse layouts with few elements. Content-heavy pages tend to follow an F-pattern or grid scan instead, so match the pattern to the amount of content.