While this article covers bottom navigation bars in detail, if you need help building a mobile app without coding, get started with AppMySite now.
Mobile app navigation is one of the most defining aspects of user experience. The way users move across an interface determines how easily they discover content, complete actions, and form perceptions about an appโs usability.
Among various navigation patterns, the bottom navigation bar has emerged as one of the most effective UI components for mobile apps โ especially in an era dominated by larger screens and one-handed smartphone use.
This guide dives deep into everything a designer or app creator needs to know about bottom navigation bars โ their principles, anatomy, usability guidelines, and implementation best practices for 2025.
Why navigation design matters more than ever
In todayโs app ecosystem, where users interact with dozens of apps every day, clarity and accessibility are everything. Studies show that 70% of app uninstalls happen because users find navigation confusing or unintuitive.
As app designers, our goal isnโt just to create visually appealing interfaces โ itโs to design journeys that feel natural. This is where navigation design takes center stage.
Among all navigation systems โ including tab bars, side drawers, and gesture-based systems โ the bottom navigation bar stands out for a simple reason: it aligns with human ergonomics.
What is a bottom navigation bar?
A bottom navigation bar (or bottom nav bar) is a UI component placed at the bottom edge of a mobile screen. It usually features three to five primary destinations, represented by icons (sometimes accompanied by short text labels), that allow users to switch between top-level views of an app.
This navigation pattern is highly popular across iOS and Android because it:
- Keeps key destinations within thumbโs reach.
- Simplifies navigation for frequently used actions.
- Provides visual clarity and consistency across screens.
- Enhances content discoverability and engagement.
Youโll see bottom navigation implemented in most mainstream apps today โ from Instagram and YouTube to LinkedIn and Spotify.
Why the bottom navigation bar works
The success of this design pattern lies in behavioral psychology and ergonomics.
1. Designed for the thumb zone
Smartphone screens have grown over the years, making one-handed use more difficult. The โthumb zoneโ concept โ introduced by Steven Hoober โ shows that users interact with the lower portion of the screen most comfortably. Placing navigation there eliminates friction and fatigue.
2. โObvious always winsโ principle
As Googleโs Product Director Luke Wroblewski famously said, โObvious always wins.โ Users prefer visible, straightforward actions rather than hidden menus. The bottom bar ensures key actions remain constantly visible โ unlike hamburger menus, which bury navigation layers.
3. Encourages exploration
With direct, one-tap access to top-level destinations, users are more likely to explore multiple sections of an app. This directly impacts retention, session time, and engagement metrics.
Core design principles for bottom navigation bars
To create an effective bottom navigation bar, designers should adhere to three key principles โ ergonomics, coherence, and relevance.
1. Ergonomics
Design the navigation to align with natural hand movement. Icons should be large enough to tap easily without accidental presses. Maintain adequate spacing and consider platform guidelines:
- Minimum target size: 48 ร 48 dp (Android) or 44 ร 44 pt (iOS).
- Avoid positioning key controls near screen corners where thumbs have limited reach.
2. Coherence
Maintain consistency across all screens. The bottom bar should have uniform placement, color, and behavior. Transitions between screens must feel smooth โ avoid shifting or resizing the bar unnecessarily.
3. Relevance
Every icon on the bar should represent a top-level destination of equal importance. Avoid mixing unrelated features (for instance, โSettingsโ next to โHomeโ or โCheckoutโ). Irrelevant or redundant icons dilute clarity.
When to use a bottom navigation bar
Bottom navigation works best when your app has three to five main destinations that users need frequent access to. Examples include:
- Ecommerce apps: Home, Categories, Cart, Profile, Search.
- Social apps: Feed, Search, Reels, Notifications, Profile.
- Service apps: Dashboard, Orders, Support, Account.
Avoid using bottom navigation if your app:
- Has only one main function (like a calculator or camera app).
- Requires complex hierarchical navigation or nested pages.
- Needs more than five destinations โ in which case, consider using tabs or a navigation drawer.
Anatomy of a bottom navigation bar
Understanding the structural elements helps you design bars that are both functional and visually balanced.
1. Container
The base area that houses icons and labels. It should have enough contrast from the main background to stand out but not overpower other UI elements.
2. Icons and labels
- Use universally recognizable icons with simple geometry.
- Combine icons with short one-word labels for clarity.
- Limit total items to 3โ5 destinations โ studies show odd numbers (3 or 5) create better visual rhythm.
3. Active vs inactive states
Use clear differentiation:
- Active icons can use brand colors or elevated opacity.
- Inactive icons should be toned down using medium contrast.
- Maintain consistent transitions โ simple cross-fade or scale animations are ideal.
4. Color and contrast
Follow WCAG accessibility standards for contrast (minimum 4.5:1 for small text). Use a limited palette โ usually two to three hues that align with your brandโs visual identity.
5. Badges and notifications
Use subtle badges to indicate new notifications or updates (for example, a red dot or numbered bubble). Avoid overuse โ too many badges can cause alert fatigue.
Design behavior and transitions
How the bar behaves as users scroll or interact with content can significantly affect UX.
- Scroll behavior: Many modern apps hide the bar on downward scroll and reveal it on upward movement. This maximizes content space without losing accessibility.
- Transition animation: Use gentle fades or scale transitions instead of abrupt jumps.
- Cross-platform adaptability:
- On Android, navigation usually resets the screenโs state when users switch tabs.
- On iOS, navigation often retains the userโs previous position in each tab for a seamless return experience.
Platform-specific design considerations
For Android (Material Design 3)
- Maintain a container height of 56 dp.
- Use Material Icons or a consistent icon set.
- Prefer floating elevation or subtle shadow to separate the bar visually.
For iOS (Human Interface Guidelines)
- Bar height: 49 pt.
- Use SF Symbols or minimalistic iconography.
- Avoid adding text for primary tabs if the icon meaning is universally understood.
Always prototype and test your design in both environments โ consistency doesnโt mean uniformity. Respect each OSโs native behavior.
Case studies: Why bottom navigation improves engagement
Real-world examples show just how impactful bottom navigation can be.
1. Redbooth (Teambox)
After switching from a hamburger menu to a bottom tab bar, Redbooth saw a 65% increase in daily active users and a 70% jump in session time.
2. Zeebox
When Zeebox replaced its tab-based navigation with a hidden drawer, engagement dropped sharply. Users struggled to find key sections, proving that visibility and direct access drive retention.
3. Instagram and YouTube
Both platforms consistently refine their bottom navigation designs to balance new features without adding clutter โ ensuring smooth discoverability even as functionalities expand.
The lesson is clear: visibility equals engagement.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Too many items: More than five destinations confuse users and create cramped layouts.
- Inconsistent icon styles: Mixing filled, outlined, or varying icon sizes reduces polish.
- Unclear active states: Subtle or missing highlights cause orientation loss.
- Poor contrast: Low-contrast icons are hard to see under bright lighting.
- Unnecessary text: Long labels or truncated words clutter the design.
Good navigation is invisible โ users should instinctively know where to go next.
How to design a bottom navigation bar in 2025 (step-by-step)
- Define your appโs top-level destinations. Choose 3โ5 that represent the main journeys.
- Sketch wireframes. Visualize how the nav bar fits within the broader layout.
- Design icons and states. Create both active and inactive variants.
- Establish color rules. Keep a consistent palette for icons, labels, and the container.
- Prototype in Figma or Adobe XD. Test transitions, scroll behavior, and gestures.
- Run usability tests. Observe how real users interact with your prototype โ note thumb reach, clarity, and tap accuracy.
- Refine and implement. Apply insights and collaborate with developers to ensure pixel-perfect deployment.
The future of navigation: Adaptive and AI-assisted UX
In 2025, weโre entering the era of adaptive navigation โ where the interface adjusts itself based on user behavior. For instance:
- Frequently accessed destinations may shift dynamically closer to the center.
- AI may highlight or reorder icons based on predictive intent.
- Gesture-driven, haptic-assisted navigation may complement the bottom bar instead of replacing it.
As screens evolve and foldables gain traction, responsive navigation design will play an even bigger role in maintaining usability across devices.
Complete guide: Mobile App Design Guide 2025: Master UI/UX for Success
Implementing bottom navigation with AppMySite
If youโre ready to bring your designs to life without coding, AppMySite makes it effortless.
AppMySiteโs no-code app builder allows designers, agencies, and entrepreneurs to customize navigation patterns โ including bottom bars โ directly within its intuitive interface.
You can:
- Add and reorder bottom nav icons.
- Configure colors, labels, and icons for each destination.
- Preview changes in real time through a live emulator.
- Enable or disable the bar on specific screens.
Whether youโre prototyping UI concepts or delivering client apps, AppMySite lets you create pixel-perfect bottom navigation layouts with zero development friction.
Conclusion
The bottom navigation bar isnโt just a design trend โ itโs a usability staple grounded in ergonomic principles. It keeps core functions within reach, simplifies exploration, and builds a rhythm users can trust.
As devices evolve and user expectations grow, the bottom navigation bar continues to be one of the most reliable tools in a UI/UX designerโs toolkit. When implemented thoughtfully โ consistent, clear, and adaptive โ it can transform how users experience your app.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main purpose of a bottom navigation bar?
It helps users access key destinations quickly by placing them within thumbโs reach, improving usability and retention.
How many items should a bottom navigation bar have?
Ideally, between three and five. Anything more risks cluttering the interface.
Should I use text labels with icons?
Yes โ use short one-word labels for clarity, unless the icon is universally recognized (like โHomeโ).
How does bottom navigation differ on Android vs iOS?
Android resets screens when switching tabs, while iOS typically retains previous scroll positions. Adjust your implementation accordingly.
Can I design bottom navigation without coding?
Absolutely. Platforms like AppMySite enable you to design, test, and publish mobile apps with custom bottom navigation โ no coding required.