Jank describes subpar functionality in a web interface that hinders or disrupts user activity. Long-running tasks, delayed rendering, or resource-intensive applications typically induce jank by overtaxing the system’s processing power, causing a website to lag, stutter, or freeze.
For example, if a website includes high-resolution images, embedded videos, or complex animations and these elements load slowly or inconsistently, users experience jank. This inconsistency degrades the overall user experience (UX), makes the website seem unrefined or unprofessional, and can cause frustrated users to abandon the site.
Web developers and designers actively minimize jank to maintain a smooth, immersive UX by optimizing code, employing efficient algorithms, and reducing redundant processes to ensure a seamless user journey.
