User flow is a tool used in user experience (UX) design to illustrate the path a user follows through a digital interface—be it a website, app, or any interactive service. The user flow charts out each step from entry point through the final interaction, highlighting the user’s decisions and how they navigate from one part of the interface to another. It’s a critical component of the design process because it helps designers understand and cater to the user’s needs and ensures that the design facilitates a smooth journey toward the user’s goal.
User flows are typically created before the visual design phase and are used to define and refine the product’s functionality. They inform the structure of the user interface (UI) and the necessary features that need to be developed to support the user’s journey.