Mobile Visual Hierarchy: 6 Rules That Are Different From Desktop

Here’s a common mistake: designing for desktop, then shrinking everything for mobile and hoping it works.

It doesn’t work.

Rule 1: Vertical Hierarchy Replaces Spatial Hierarchy

Rule 2: Thumb Zone Dictates CTA Placement

Rule 3: Font Sizes Need Bigger Jumps

Rule 4: One Action Per Screen, Not Per Section

Rule 5: Images Must Work Harder or Get Cut

Rule 6: Scroll Depth Means Everything—Design for the Fold

Mobile Hierarchy Audit Checklist

First Viewport

Navigation and Interaction

Content Flow

Performance

The Mobile Blur Test

Conclusion

Mobile visual hierarchy isn’t a scaled-down version of desktop hierarchy.