Spatial UI.
Learn what Spatial UI means in modern UI and product design.
An interface paradigm where UI elements exist in 3D space around the user — distinct from 2D screen-based UI — designed for AR, VR, and mixed-reality wearables.
Spatial UI is the design discipline for interfaces that escape the rectangle. Components float in 3D space, respond to gaze and gesture, and need to remain legible from any angle and at varying distances. Apple visionOS introduced the first mainstream spatial design language; Meta's Horizon OS and Microsoft's mixed reality platforms have similar patterns.
What's Different from 2D UI
There's no scroll, no consistent z-order, no fixed viewport. Distance and scale become variables. Sound design matters more (audio reinforces UI feedback when visual signals can be missed). Hand presence and gaze tracking replace mouse and touch as primary input. Many 2D conventions (modal dialogs, side panels) need rethinking entirely.
Design Patterns Emerging
Glance-distance content (close, small UI), inspection-distance content (arm's length, medium), and environment-distance content (room-scale, large) are emerging as the canonical spatial layers. Successful spatial UIs respect these zones and place content where it's ergonomically reachable.
Related Terms
Ready to close the loop?
See every term in action
Aergos tracks your AI and organic visibility across every channel, in one platform.
Not ready to talk? Audit your site free →