# Empty State — Web app

The state of a screen or component when there is no data to display, whether it's because a user is new, has cleared their content, or a search returned no results.

Source: https://www.checklist.design/web-app/empty-state

## Items

### Illustration or icon
A visual that signals the empty state and gives the screen some personality, rather than feeling broken

_Tip: Visual should be contextual e.g. empty inbox and a deleted account shouldn't be the same_

### Clear heading
A short, plain-language title naming what's missing

_Tip: 'It's empty' isn't helpful while 'No projects yet' is clear_

### Supporting description
A brief explanation of what belongs in this space, most useful for first-time users

### Primary action
A CTA pointing toward the next step: creating, importing, connecting etc

_Tip: It should create the first item, not just link somewhere generic_

### Zero state vs. no-results state
A distinction between a screen that is empty because nothing has been created versus one that returned no search or filter results

_Tip: A no-results state without a way to reset or broaden the search is a dead end — always provide an escape route_

### Error state variant
A separate variant for when content failed to load, as opposed to genuinely being empty

_Tip: Showing an empty state when the real issue is a loading error causes users to assume they have lost their data_

## License for the Checklist Design collection

Checklist Design collection: https://github.com/Checklist-Design/skills
Snapshot: bfae71e507b1b7c03c12e0756402b60eb80f5d14 · Imported: 2026-11-12
Republished under the MIT License. Original checklist text belongs to Checklist Design.

MIT License

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