I would like to share my thoughts on designing this calculator UI.
Research & Observation
To begin, I explored various calculator UI designs through Google image searches and also studied the calculators on some of my friends’ phones. My aim was to get an understanding of what’s trending - both in terms of layout and usability.
Key Design Goals
- Keep it simple, but not completely black and white - some subtle color should add character.
- The design should feel familiar, similar to most native calculator apps.
- The keypad should occupy 50-60% of the screen - within natural thumb reach.
Sketching the UI
I started sketching ideas on paper. One of the unique aspects I wanted to experiment with was using horizontal lines between numbers, inspired by math notebooks. But to keep it clean, I didn’t let the lines run edge to edge — this added structure without making the UI feel boxed in.
For switching to scientific mode, instead of using a bulky icon, I chose a minimalist “Sci” label — familiar and space-saving.
Thumb Reach Consideration
Since calculators are mostly used with one hand or both thumbs, I tested different screen zones for optimal touch access. I validated this by comparing with my own phone usage. The ideal range for easy thumb access turned out to be the central 50–60% of the screen — anything too high or too low was uncomfortable.
UI Design in Figma
With the concept ready, I jumped into Figma to bring it to life.
- I experimented with color schemes, eventually choosing the darkest tone of the highlight color I introduced.
- To create both light and dark modes, I used Coolors.co — an awesome tool for generating color palettes and checking color contrast.
Mockups & Final Touches
Once the design was finalized, I used the Artboard Studio Mockups plugin in Figma to generate presentation visuals. It helped showcase the UI in a real-world context and bring out the minimal design vibe.
Final Thoughts
This was a small project, but one that helped me pay attention to usability, simplicity, and visual hierarchy. Designing a calculator — something so common — turned out to be a great exercise in constraint-driven design.
If you found this interesting or useful, feel free to share it or leave feedback.
Thanks for reading!