Tips for writing tooltips

Writing tooltips as a UX writer feels like threading a needle—tiny space, huge impact. Done right, they’re a whisper that clears confusion; done wrong, they’re noise. Here’s how to nail them.

Keep it short. Screens don’t wait—three to five words often do the trick. “Download starts automatically” beats a paragraph about file queues. Users skim, so make every syllable count. Testing shows brevity lifts comprehension; swap “This initiates the process” for “Starts now” and see clicks jump.

Lead with action. Verbs wake tooltips up—“Tap to expand” over “This is expandable.” It’s guidance, not a lecture. Flip “Details here” to “See more”—small tweak, smoother flow. An active voice cuts hesitation; users move faster.

Context is king. Generic tips like “Click this” flop without why. “Click to mute audio” lands because it’s specific. Peek at the user’s moment—what’s unclear? A tooltip for a gear icon might say “Adjust settings here,” tying it to the task.

Dodge the obvious. If a button screams “Save,” don’t tooltip “Saves your work”—it’s clutter. Focus where eyes falter; go from a cryptic “Sync” icon to a much clearer “Connects to cloud."

Tooltips aren’t decoration—they’re lifelines. Sharp, active, and rooted in need, they nudge without nagging. Writing them means balancing brevity and clarity on a dime.