16 / GESTURE PHYSICS
Swipe Threshold
The problem
If a swipe action fires the instant you move, tiny accidental drags trigger destructive actions.
The solution
The action reveals with the drag and only arms past the threshold.
Experiment
Task: Swipe the row left to reveal and arm the action.
NAIVE
Archive
Design review notes
Swipe left to archive.
offset0px
threshold0px
armedTRUE
THOUGHTFUL
Archive
Design review notes
Swipe left past the threshold to archive.
offset0px
threshold96px
armedFALSE
Play with the values
96px
140px
How it works
Seen in
Email rows
Swipe-to-archive reveals the action and only commits once you pass the arm point.
Task lists
Completing or deleting a task requires a deliberate swipe past the threshold.
Message threads
Swipe actions preview their intent before firing, preventing accidental deletes.
Settings toggles
Slide-to-confirm controls arm only after a committed drag distance.