loading-states-and-perceived-performance
Loading States and Perceived Performance
Users don't mind waiting as much if they understand what they are waiting for and how much progress is being made. Perceived performance is the design work of making a system feel faster than it actually is.
Choosing the Right Loading State
| Wait Duration | Best Pattern | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Short (< 1s) | Inline Spinner / Loader | Button actions, small updates, quick data fetches |
| Medium (1s – 3s) | Skeleton Screen | Cards, lists, dashboards, profile pages |
| Long (> 3s) | Determinate Progress Bar | File uploads, complex exports, heavy processing |
| Full Page | Staggered Entry / Animated Sections | Initial app load, hero sections, immersive transitions |
Simple Cases: Spinners and Loaders
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