• All Methods
    • Strategize
      • 5D Framework
      • Break Down 4
      • Business Model Canvas
      • Competitive Analysis
      • Could, Should, Must
      • Dot Coding
      • Eisenhower Matrix
      • Future Trends
      • Golden Circle
      • HEART Framework
      • How Might We
      • Innovation Board
      • Ishikawa Diagram
      • Knowns and Unknowns Framework
      • KPI Tracking
      • Minimum Viable Product
      • One-Minute-Pitch
      • Stakeholder Map
      • SWOT Analysis
      • User Stories
      • Value Proposition
    • Observe
      • 5 Whys
      • 6 Thinking Hats
      • AEIOU Framework
      • Challenge Assumptions
      • Content Audit
      • Contextual Inquiry Plan
      • Emotional Journey Map
      • Empathy Map
      • Field Study
      • Focus Groups
      • Jobs-to-be-done
      • Journey Mapping
      • Mental Models
      • Mobile Diaries
      • Mystery Shopping
      • Netnography
      • Observation
      • Personas
      • Poems
      • Product Love Letters
      • Search-Log Analysis
      • Social Media Monitoring
      • Surveys
      • User Interviews
    • Ideate
      • 6-3-5 Brainwriting
      • Bodystorming
      • Brainstorming
      • Card Sorting
      • Collage
      • Crazy Eights
      • Dark Horse Prototyping
      • Mind Mapping
      • Moodboards
      • SCAMPER
      • Service Blueprints
      • Storyboards
      • Walt Disney Method
      • Worst Possible Ideas
      • Wow-How-Now Matrix
    • Validate
      • A/B Testing
      • Click Dummy
      • Concept Testing Plan
      • Eye Tracking
      • High-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Hypothesis Testing
      • Lessons Learned
      • Low-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Pluralistic Walkthrough
      • Poster Session
      • Remote Usability Test
      • User Testing
      • Wizard of Oz
      • World Café
    • Warm-up
      • 5 Whys
      • Brainstorming
      • Break Down 4
      • Crazy Eights
      • Destroy and Defend
      • Emoji Challenge
      • Hidden Similarities
      • Impromotion
      • Mind Mapping
      • Product Pitch
      • The Aliens Have Landed
      • Touch Blue
      • Two Truths and a Lie
      • Viewpoint Spectrogram
      • What's on your Desk?
  • Workshop Bundles
  • About us
  • Meet the Creators
  • Get Support
  1. UX Strategy Kit
  2. Methods
  3. Card Sorting
Card Sorting - Slide 1
Card Sorting - Slide 2
Card Sorting - Slide 3
Card Sorting - Slide 4
Card Sorting - Slide 5
Card Sorting - Slide 6
advanced ideate
Card Sorting
Card Sorting Structure information into reasonable groups.
30 min 4 – 12 Participants workshop review team
Summary
When content or data is available, users can arrange them into groups or categories. This can prevent interruptions of user workflows and provide abstract insights on organizational structures. Card Sorting can also be accomplished online as an alternative to an in-person workshop scenario.
Step-by-step
  1. Invite users to a neutral environment, e.g. an non-distracting office space so that everyone is able to focus on their tasks.
  2. Prepare small content or information snippets on cards. This can be any data point that you want to bring into a (new) structure in the context of all other relevant data points from the same data set, e.g. single pages of a website, that you want to re-categorize.
  3. Let groups of maximum four users sort the cards into groups that make sense for them.
  4. Let the user groups come up with names for the groups and have them write the group titles above the respective group of cards.
  5. Discuss the results within the team and align on a structure everyone agrees on.
What you need
  • Camera
  • Cards
  • Pens
  • Paper
  • Trello (or similar, optional)
External resources
  • Card Sorting Technique
    by Design Experts
Do you have a question?
These methods might seem simple, but applying them in a real project is another story. We're there to help. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with us at the User Experience Strategy & Design team.
Ask Away!
Explore similar methods
Mind Mapping
Mind Mapping ideate
1+ Participants
10 – 15 min

This method is great for warm-up sessions during ideation phases.

SCAMPER
SCAMPER ideate
1+ Participants
50 – 85 min

Stimulate new ideas and challenge existing ones.

Service Blueprints
Service Blueprints ideate
2+ Participants
45 – 80 min

Describe how a service works.

Moodboards
Moodboards ideate
1+ Participants
60 – 90 min

Visualize your ideas fast and early in your research phase.

6-3-5 Brainwriting
6-3-5 Brainwriting ideate
1 – 12 Participants
50 – 65 min

Develop innovative ideas by writing.

© Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, 2026.
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance
Categories
  • Strategize
  • Observe
  • Ideate
  • Validate
  • Warm-up
Learn more
  • About Us
  • User Experience Strategy & Design
  • Liquid Design System
Legal
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Imprint
  • Cookie Settings
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more