Tool · Audit cluster · Free, no signup

Friction Score Calculator

Score a page, journey or flow across seven UX dimensions. The tool computes a /100 friction score, classifies the severity, surfaces the three worst friction areas, and writes a prioritised list of next actions. Built to be the practical starting point before a full audit, or the readout summary after one.

Rate the current state, not the aspiration. Each rating compares this page against a well-implemented competitor in the same category.

Navigation clarity01 · weight 1.0

Can users tell where they are and what's next? Labels meaningful, IA predictable, breadcrumbs and orientation cues working.

PoorExcellent
Form effort02 · weight 1.0

If forms are present: field count, validation, error handling, label clarity, mobile keyboard fit. Score 5 if forms are minimal or absent.

High effortLow effort
Content clarity03 · weight 1.0

Headings honest, copy in plain language, jargon explained, scannability supported, key information visible without scrolling.

PoorExcellent
Trust confidence04 · weight 1.0

Reassurance present where needed (payment, data, accounts). Visual polish appropriate to the category. No alarm-bell patterns.

PoorExcellent
Accessibility basics05 · weight 1.0

Contrast, focus indicators, alt text, heading order, keyboard support, target sizes. The WCAG 2.2 floor, not aspirational AAA.

PoorExcellent
Performance perception06 · weight 1.0

Perceived speed, layout shift, time-to-interactive feel. Not the Lighthouse number; the user-felt experience.

PoorExcellent
Conversion clarity07 · weight 1.0

Single dominant CTA, clear value proposition, friction-free path to the intended action. Score 5 if no conversion is asked for.

PoorExcellent

Anything that didn't fit a dimension: stakeholder context, segment behaviour, prior findings.

How experienced practitioners use this

The friction score is a directional assessment, not a measurement. Use it where its strengths land:

  1. Before commissioning a full audit. Score five to ten of the most commercially important pages. The lowest-scoring three become the audit scope.
  2. After a usability test. Score the tested flow before reading the session notes, then compare. Disagreements between the score and the user behaviour are where the most useful learning lives.
  3. As a quarterly health check. Score the same flow each quarter and track movement. Pair with the audit severity framework to translate score changes into specific fix categories.

The score is most useful when scored by two people independently and discussed afterwards. Disagreements surface the dimensions that matter most to discuss, faster than any single review would.

Behavioural validation · Affiliate partner
Affiliate
Crazy Egg — heatmaps and session recordings
Once the friction score has flagged the worst pages, behavioural data confirms the qualitative judgement. Heatmaps, scroll maps and session recordings show where users actually struggle. UX Companion earns a small referral if you sign up; the recommendation is editorial.

Related

Audit · Hub

The complete UX audit guide

Where the friction score fits inside a full audit, and how to scope, score and present audit findings.
Audit · Methodology

How to run a UX audit

The six-stage process. Use the friction score as the scoping input for stage two.
Audit · Tool

UX audit checklist

The 60-point interactive checklist. Run this after the friction score for the structurally significant findings.
Audit · Framework

UX audit severity framework

The 0-4 severity rubric. Translate friction score categories into per-finding severity scores.
Downloads

All resources

Templates, frameworks and worksheets to pair with the calculator. Includes audit and research downloads.