Card sorting is a process in which participants arrange separate pieces of information into groups or categories. In a card sorting session, you can create digital cards with an online card sorting tool that participants can move around and place in virtual piles to create an optimal sort.

So, what is card sorting used for, and why is it important? Card sorting helps you understand how users evaluate and group information according to their individual mental frameworks. Using this insight, you can create a logical workflow, design better information architecture, and prioritize top-notch user experiences or user journeys.

Begin with our free online card sorting tool and write down each piece of information you’re trying to assess and categorize. A card sorting example can then proceed according to one of two methods:

- Open – Ask users to arrange information into groups, then come up with their own label for each category. This gives you insight into not only the way they group information but also the mental models they use to generate the categories themselves.

- Closed – Ask users to fit each card into predetermined categories on our card sorting template. This version illuminates shared beliefs and disagreements across user groups.

It’s important to have enough participants to recognize trends in your card sort exercise. Start with at least fifteen users and increase your sample size if you need more valuable insight. A group of twenty to thirty participants is often the norm for UX research groups.