Password Field Design Guidelines

With practical examples

Freepik

A password field may seem small, but it is of significant importance. A poorly designed password field can lead to user frustration and errors. Also, it can be a big security risk if not handled properly.

You need to ensure the password experience of your product is secure, intuitive, and accessible.

Let’s explore a few best practices for designing a password field along with examples.

1. Add a Show/Hide Password Option

Provide a show/hide option with the ‘Password’ field so the user can see the password if needed. By default, a password should be masked (shown as dots or asterisks) to avoid any security issues.

The show/hide option helps prevent errors while typing complex passwords, especially on mobile devices.

It also reduces the need for a ‘Confirm Password’ field, thus simplifying the form experience. The ‘Confirm Password’ field usually prevents the chance of misspelling the password. However, it decreases the sign-up form conversion rate.

This process requires multiple steps. The users enter a password. Then re-enter it in the ‘Confirm Password’ field. If it does not match, they need to remove it and enter again without knowing the error…