Heuristic Evaluation Template: Free Checklist + Step-by-Step Guide

A heuristic evaluation is an expert review against usability principles. This template helps you spot issues fast and prioritize fixes.

What you'll get:

A clear heuristic evaluation checklist
A copy/paste heuristic evaluation template
A step-by-step process to run the evaluation and prioritize fixes

Use the sections below as building blocks; keep what you need and delete the rest.

For a broader review, see the UX audit template.

References for this guide are listed at the end.

What is a heuristic evaluation?

A heuristic evaluation is an expert review of an interface against a set of usability guidelines, or heuristics. Evaluators judge whether the UI violates those principles, then document the issues they find. This is a fast way to surface usability problems early, but it does not replace user testing.

When to use a heuristic evaluation

Use it when you need fast, structured feedback without recruiting users.

Good times to run it:

Early in design to catch problems before build
Before launch to spot obvious friction
After a redesign to compare new UX against known heuristics
During ongoing audits to keep quality high

Note: heuristic evaluation is expert-led. Usability testing still matters for real user behavior.

The 10 usability heuristics checklist

These are Jakob Nielsen's 10 usability heuristics. Use them as your baseline checklist.

Visibility of system status
Match between system and the real world
User control and freedom
Consistency and standards
Error prevention
Recognition rather than recall
Flexibility and efficiency of use
Aesthetic and minimalist design
Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors
Help and documentation

How to run a heuristic evaluation (step-by-step)

This flow is based on Nielsen Norman Group guidance plus modern UX practice.

Pick your heuristics. Start with the 10 Nielsen heuristics.
Set scope. Choose a specific flow, page set, or device.
Recruit 3 to 5 evaluators. More than one is critical for coverage.
Brief the team. Align on goals, users, and tasks.
Evaluate independently. Each evaluator reviews alone.
Document issues. Record the heuristic violated, evidence, and impact.
Consolidate and prioritize. Combine findings, remove duplicates, and rank by severity.

Nielsen Norman Group notes that evaluators should work independently and that 3 to 5 evaluators is the sweet spot. They also recommend timeboxing evaluations to about 1 to 2 hours per evaluator.

Heuristic evaluation template (copy/paste)

Use this template in a spreadsheet, doc, or whiteboard. Nielsen Norman Group specifically recommends spreadsheets or whiteboards for documenting issues. Miro provides a ready-made heuristic template if you want a visual workspace.

Issue log template

Screen/Flow	Heuristic	Issue summary	Evidence	Severity (0-4)	Recommendation	Owner	Status
Signup	Error prevention	Password rules not visible until submit	Screenshot + form error	2	Show rules inline and validate in real time	UX	Open

Severity scale (simple)

0 = Cosmetic (does not block task)
1 = Minor (noticeable friction)
2 = Moderate (slows task completion)
3 = Major (frequent frustration or drop-off risk)
4 = Critical (blocks task or causes failure)

Heuristic evaluation checklist template (compact)

If you want a faster evaluation, use this checklist format. Check each heuristic as you review core flows.

[ ] Visibility of system status
[ ] Match between system and the real world
[ ] User control and freedom
[ ] Consistency and standards
[ ] Error prevention
[ ] Recognition rather than recall
[ ] Flexibility and efficiency of use
[ ] Aesthetic and minimalist design
[ ] Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors
[ ] Help and documentation

Heuristic evaluation vs usability testing

Heuristic evaluation is done by experts using established principles. Usability testing is done by real users completing tasks.

Both are valuable. Heuristic evaluation is fast and cheap. Usability testing reveals real-world behavior and confusion.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using only one evaluator (you will miss issues)
Skipping independent reviews and groupthink takes over
Mixing evaluation with solutioning too early
Ignoring user testing because a heuristic review "passed"

FAQ

How many evaluators do I need?

Nielsen Norman Group recommends 3 to 5 evaluators to capture a broader set of usability issues.

How long should a heuristic evaluation take?

Nielsen Norman Group suggests timeboxing each evaluator to 1 to 2 hours to keep the review focused.

Can I use a heuristic evaluation template in Excel or Google Sheets?

Yes. A spreadsheet is one of the most common ways to capture findings and prioritize issues.

References

Related resources

If you want a fast UX audit for a specific page, start here: Website UX Audit

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