How do you test responsive design on different screens?

1 Use browser tools

One of the easiest ways to test responsive design on different screens is to use the built-in tools of your browser. Most modern browsers have a responsive design mode or a device emulator that allows you to simulate how your website looks and behaves on various screen dimensions and devices. You can access these tools by opening the developer tools of your browser and selecting the responsive design or device toolbar. You can then choose from a range of preset or custom screen sizes and devices, or drag the edges of the browser window to resize it. You can also inspect the HTML and CSS code of your website and make changes to see how they affect the layout and functionality.

2 Use online tools

Another option to test responsive design on different screens is to use online tools that can generate screenshots or live previews of your website on different devices and resolutions. Some examples of these tools are Responsive Design Checker, Screenfly, and Responsinator. These tools can help you quickly see how your website looks on various devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops, without having to own or access them physically. However, these tools may not be able to capture all the nuances and interactions of your website, such as animations, transitions, and user inputs, so you should always test your website on real devices as well.

3 Use real devices

The best way to test responsive design on different screens is to use real devices that your target audience uses. This will give you the most accurate and realistic feedback on how your website performs and functions on different screen sizes, orientations, and devices. You can use your own devices, borrow from your friends or colleagues, or use a device lab or a device cloud service that can provide you with access to a variety of devices. You should test your website on different browsers, operating systems, and network conditions as well, to ensure that it works consistently and smoothly across different scenarios.

4 Use breakpoints

One of the key concepts of responsive design is breakpoints, which are points in the screen width where the layout of your website changes to adapt to different screen sizes. For example, you may have a breakpoint at 768px, where your website switches from a horizontal navigation menu to a hamburger menu, or a breakpoint at 480px, where your website switches from a two-column layout to a single-column layout. You should use breakpoints to test responsive design on different screens, by resizing your browser window or using browser tools to see how your website responds to each breakpoint. You should also use media queries in your CSS code to define the styles and rules for each breakpoint, and use relative units, such as percentages, ems, and rems, to make your website more flexible and scalable.

5 Use design principles

Testing responsive design on different screens requires considering design principles that can enhance the user experience and appeal of the website. For example, a grid system should be used to organize content and create a consistent layout across various screen sizes. Additionally, typography must be readable and legible on different devices, with font size, line height, and spacing adjusted accordingly. Images should be optimized and responsive, making use of the srcset and sizes attributes to provide different versions for different screen sizes. Icons and buttons should also be clear and easy to tap or click on different devices, without making use of hover effects that may not work on touchscreens. Furthermore, white space and contrast should be used to create a visual hierarchy and balance on the website, while avoiding cluttering it with unnecessary elements or information.

6 Use feedback

The final method of testing responsive design on different screens is to use feedback from your users, clients, or stakeholders. You can use various methods to collect feedback, such as surveys, interviews, usability tests, analytics, or reviews. You can use feedback to identify any issues or problems that your users may encounter on different devices, such as layout glitches, functionality errors, or performance issues. You can also use feedback to improve your website's design, usability, and accessibility, and to meet your users' needs and expectations.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?