Responsive Design
A design and implementation approach that adapts interfaces to different viewport sizes devices content and layout constraints.
Plain English
Make the same product remain usable and understandable as available screen space and interaction conditions change.
In context
Responsive design considers reflow hierarchy sizing navigation input methods and content behavior across a range of conditions instead of targeting a few fixed screenshots.
Example
“The responsive design moves filters into a compact control when the viewport becomes narrow.”
When you'll hear this
- interface design
- frontend implementation
- cross-device QA
Common misunderstanding
Responsive design is broader than making a page mobile-friendly and should not assume one device size orientation or input method.
Also known as
responsive web designadaptive layoutresponsive UI
Commonly used by
Related terms
Updated: 2026-08-28
