The Ultimate Guide to Tab Design: Anatomy, Types, and Tips

Effective navigation is one of the foundations of a well-designed product! 

When the information architecture is clear, users can understand where they are, where they can go next, and how to accomplish their tasks without friction. However, as interfaces grow more complex and include multiple types of content, cognitive load increases, and the user experience quickly breaks down.

Tabs offer a simple yet powerful way to manage this issue! By organizing related content into clear, scannable sections, they help maintain structure and reduce excessive scrolling. This is why tabs have become a fundamental navigation pattern in modern products—whether in SaaS dashboards, settings panels, mobile apps, or content-rich websites.

In this guide, we break down the essentials of tab design: what they are, their core anatomy, the different types, when to use tabs and tips to consider when designing tabs for your product.

What is Tab Design?

Tabs are UI components that organize related content into clearly labeled sections. They help users move between different views quickly while keeping the interface clean and easy to understand. By structuring information into focused categories, tabs make it easier for users to browse, find what they need, and stay oriented within the product.

Anatomy of Tabs UI Design

A well‑structured tab component includes several parts that work together to create clarity, hierarchy, and ease of navigation. Based on the anatomy shown in the image above, here’s a clearer breakdown of each part:

• Container: The outer frame that holds all tabs together. It provides structure, spacing, and alignment, ensuring the entire tab group behaves as a single, consistent component across the interface.
• Tab Item: Each clickable segment within the tab group. A tab item includes its label, optional icon, optional badge, and interactive states (default, hover, active). Users rely on these items to switch between content sections.
• Label: The text inside the tab item, which helps users understand what type of content they will see before clicking.
• Icon (Optional): A small visual symbol placed next to the label. Icons help reinforce meaning and improve quick recognition, especially in dense interfaces or mobile layouts. 
• Badge (Optional): A small numeric or status indicator is shown next to the label. Badges help draw attention to new updates, notifications, or counts.
•  Divider (Optional): A thin visual line is placed between tab items. Dividers help separate tabs for clarity, especially when there are multiple items. 
• Active Indicator: A strong visual cue, such as an underline, highlight, or filled background, that shows which tab is currently selected.
• Tab View / Content Panel: The area below the tabs where the selected tab’s content is displayed. It should update instantly and stay consistent in layout so users don’t feel like they’re navigating to a new page.

Types of Tab Design

Tabs generally fall into 2 main types, each serving a different purpose in how users navigate and interact with content.

1. In-page Tabs

In-page tabs are used to organize related content within the same page. When users switch between tabs, only the content panel updates; there is no page reload or navigation to a new screen. This keeps the interaction fast and helps users stay focused on a single flow.

Use in-page tabs when the content belongs to a single topic or feature, such as:

• Product details (Description, Reviews, Specs)
• Profile or account settings
• Dashboard sub-views
• Data or analytics categories within the same page

2. Navigation Tabs

Navigation tabs act as a primary or secondary navigation system, allowing users to move between different pages or sections of an application. Selecting a tab typically loads a new route or screen.

Use navigation tabs when each tab leads to a different page or major section of the product, such as:

• Mobile bottom navigation bars
• Multi-section SaaS platforms
• Apps where each tab represents a distinct feature or area
  (e.g., Home, Dashboard, Messages, Settings)

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What to Consider When Choosing Tab Layout

Designing tabs isn’t just about how they look; it starts with understanding your content and how users will interact with it. Two key decisions shape your tab design: placement (whether tabs are horizontal or vertical) and design style (how tabs adapt to different content needs and screen sizes).

The placement you choose affects how users scan options and navigate between sections, while the design style determines how tabs behave when space is limited or when content requires specific interaction patterns. Together, these choices ensure your tabs support usability, clarity, and efficient navigation.

Consider Tab Placement

The first decision is whether your tabs should be horizontal or vertical. This choice affects visibility, label length, and how users navigate across sections.

1. Horizontal Tabs

Horizontal tabs are the most common and familiar tab style; they appear at the top of a section and work best when you have 3–6 categories. They allow users to scan options in a left‑to‑right flow, making them ideal for desktop and tablet layouts where horizontal space is available.

For example: Blazeup uses horizontal tabs to organize key time-tracking sections like Overview, Timesheet, and Timeoff. The tabs sit at the top of the page, allowing users to switch views instantly without leaving the screen. This keeps navigation simple and helps users manage their time records more efficiently.

2. Vertical Tabs

Vertical tabs are arranged in a left-hand column, giving more vertical room for longer labels. This format works well when there are many categories or when labels require more descriptive text.

For example: Material Design uses a vertical tab-style navigation on the left to organize key sections like Get started, Develop, and Components. Each item updates the main content area while keeping navigation visible at all times. This layout works well for documentation-heavy interfaces where clarity and hierarchy matter.

Consider Tab Designs

After choosing between horizontal and vertical placement, the next thing to consider is selecting the tab design style that best supports your content and user interactions. 

Below are common design options to consider:

1. Segmented Controls 

A lightweight version of tabs that act like toggle buttons. They are used for quick, in-place switching within a single view, rather than navigating between large content sections.

For example: Revolut uses segmented controls to let users switch between Personal and Business help topics within the same view. The selection updates results instantly without loading a new page. This lightweight pattern keeps filtering fast and makes it easy for users to narrow down content.

2. Scrollable Tabs

When the number of categories exceeds the available width, scrollable tabs allow horizontal swiping or scrolling to reveal more options. This keeps the UI tidy without forcing smaller, unreadable labels.

For example: YouTube uses scrollable tabs to display a wide range of content categories like All, New to you, Music, and more. Users can swipe horizontally to explore additional topics without overcrowding the screen. This pattern keeps navigation flexible while supporting many options on smaller mobile layouts.

3. Dropdown Tabs (Overflow Tabs)

When the number of tabs becomes too large to display comfortably, some interfaces shift excess tabs into a dropdown menu, often labeled “More.” This approach preserves a clean layout while still giving users access to every section. 

For example: GitHub uses an overflow tab (“⋯”) that appears when the screen is resized and there isn’t enough room to show all sections. Tabs like Discussions, Actions, Security, and Insights collapse into this dropdown to keep the layout clean. This ensures navigation stays organized across different screen sizes.

When to Use Tabs in Web/App Design?

Tabs are most effective when you need to organize related content into separate views without overwhelming the user. They work best in interfaces where users need to switch between categories quickly, compare information, or explore variations of the same content area. By keeping all options visible at once, tabs reduce navigation effort and help users stay oriented.

Here are key scenarios where tabs are the right choice:

1.  When the navigation needs to be fast and visible 

Use tabs when users need to move between multiple sections regularly as part of their workflow, such as switching from Time management to Timesheet to Timeoff and back again. In these scenarios, tabs keep all navigation options visible at once, allowing users to jump directly to what they need with a single click instead of navigating through menus, back buttons, or loading separate pages.

This pattern is especially valuable in dashboards, settings panels, and admin tools where frequent switching between related areas is essential for completing tasks efficiently.

Tip: Use tabs when sections are accessed together as part of the same workflow. If sections are rarely used together or serve different user groups, consider using separate pages or a different navigation pattern instead.

2. When content is lengthy and needs separation

Use tabs when a page has too much information to show at once. Without tabs, users would face a long, overwhelming page that requires heavy scrolling. Tabs solve this by breaking content into smaller sections, showing only what users need right now while keeping other information one click away.

This keeps the interface clean and easy to scan. Instead of stacking everything in one long page, tabs organize content into manageable pieces. This helps users focus on one section at a time without feeling overwhelmed or losing their place.

Tip: Keep tab labels short. Long labels make the tab bar design crowded and defeat the purpose of keeping things simple.

3. When content fits at the same hierarchy level

Use tabs when a section contains several sub-sections that sit under the same parent category. For example, within a “Profile” area, users may need to access Logout, Security, and Account settings. These sub-sections belong to the same level in the hierarchy, and tabs make it easy for users to understand how the content is structured.

By grouping sibling categories side by side, tabs help users see all available options at once and switch between them without leaving the parent section. This keeps navigation predictable and prevents users from digging through deep menus or multiple screens to find what they need.

Tip: Tabs work only for sections on the same level. If your content has multiple layers, or some items are more important than others, use a sidebar or separate pages instead.

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Final Thoughts

Tabs play a meaningful role in creating digital experiences that feel structured, intuitive, and effortless to navigate. When used thoughtfully, they help teams organize information in a way that supports clearer decision-making, reduces cognitive effort, and keeps users grounded as they move across different sections of an interface.

At Lollypop Design Studio, we believe that great navigation starts with understanding user needs. Our team – a globally recognized SaaS UX design agency –  blends strategic thinking with purposeful UI UX design to help businesses build experiences that are both elegant and meaningful. Whether you’re refining an existing interface or designing a new product from the ground up, we’re here to help you create navigation that truly supports your users.

Book a free consultation to explore how thoughtful interaction design can elevate your product and create exceptional user experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the benefits of tab design for digital products?

Tabs offer several advantages: they organize related content into structured sections, improve scannability, and reduce the need for long-scrolling pages. By keeping all navigation options visible, tabs help users understand available choices at a glance and switch between views quickly. They also support progressive disclosure, revealing information gradually without overwhelming the user.

2. When should you avoid using tabs in digital product design?

Avoid tabs when the content does not belong to the same topic or when each section varies greatly in length or type. Tabs are also not ideal for scenarios where users need to compare information side by side, as only one tab panel is visible at a time. If there are too many categories to display clearly, consider alternative patterns such as accordions, sidebars, dropdown menus, or separate pages.

3. Tabs vs. Accordions: What are the differences?

Tabs display one content section at a time and keep navigation options visible across the top or side of a layout. They work best for horizontal or vertical switching between closely related sections.

Accordions, on the other hand, expand and collapse content within the same page. Users can view multiple sections at once by expanding several panels. Accordions are ideal for dense or hierarchical information, especially on mobile, but they offer less immediate scanning of categories compared to tabs.

4. Tabs vs. Sidebars: What are the differences?

Tabs are suited for quick switching between small sets of related categories, typically in the same content area. They consume minimal vertical space, keeping the interface compact.

Sidebars function as a broader navigation system. They can contain many items, support nested hierarchies, and lead to entirely different sections or pages. While tabs are best for micro-navigation within a specific view, sidebars manage larger information structures and cross-page navigation.