Rounded icons: definition, key characteristics, uses, examples, and creation process

Rounded icons are digital icons that feature curved corners on their visual elements or bounding box.

The key characteristics of rounded icons are rounded corners, rounded stroke caps, visual clarity and human touch, consistency in design, and balanced visual weight.

Rounded icons are typically used in mobile operating systems, social media platforms, video and content sharing platforms, web browsers, and general UI design.

What are rounded icons?

Rounded icons are digital icons that use curved lines and edges. This design choice, a hallmark of this icon style, is not limited to just icons themselves but often extends to other interactive elements within a user interface, such as buttons and dialog boxes.

The primary goal of employing curved edges is to foster a user experience that feels softer, more welcoming, and aesthetically pleasing when compared to interfaces that predominantly feature sharp, angular corners.

What are the key characteristics of rounded icons?

Rounded icon characteristics: rounded corners, stroke caps, visual clarity, consistency, balanced weight.

The key characteristics of rounded icons are listed below.

Rounded corners: This is the fundamental characteristic of these icons, defined by the degree of curvature or corner radius, with design systems often providing specific guidelines.
Rounded stroke caps: The use of rounded stroke caps on line ends contributes to the overall curved appearance, providing a friendly and approachable feel compared to sharp, abrupt ends.
Visual clarity and human touch: Rounded icons can convey clarity through their simplified forms, while the rounded edges and caps add a human touch and improve communication.
Consistency in design: Maintaining a consistent border radius, size, and line width across an icon set is crucial for creating visual harmony and a cohesive visual language.
Balanced visual weight: The visual weight of rounded icons within a set should be balanced through consistent stroke weight to maintain visual equilibrium.

Where are rounded icons typically used?

Rounded icons are typically used as listed below.

Mobile operating systems (iOS and Android): Prevalent in interfaces like iOS and through Android’s Material Design, influencing app design with their softer appearance.
Social media platforms: Used in profile pictures, buttons, and other UI components on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to enhance visual appeal.
Video and content sharing platforms: Incorporated into platforms like YouTube and Pinterest to contribute to a visually appealing and organized layout.
Web browsers: Utilized in browser interfaces, such as Chrome’s rounded tabs, for a modern and user-friendly design.
General UI design (following Material Design principles): Favored by brands that use heavier typography, curved logos, or circular elements, providing a softer and more approachable aesthetic.

When should you use rounded icons?

You should use rounded icons to create a friendly and approachable aesthetic, as rounded shapes are often perceived as softer and safer, contributing to a more inviting user experience. This preference is partly psychological, with rounded forms feeling less threatening. Rounded icons can help project a less corporate and more human brand image.

Beyond aesthetics, rounded icons can improve usability and legibility by requiring less cognitive effort to process and feeling more natural. On touch devices, they provide larger touch targets, reducing misclicks. Rounded corners can also help interactive elements stand out and establish a clearer visual hierarchy for primary actions. Consistent use of rounded corners contributes to a more familiar user experience and aligns well with brands using curved typography or logos.

Furthermore, rounded shapes can help visually separate UI elements, enhancing the definition of boundaries. In some cases, rounded buttons might be used for less critical actions, contrasting with square buttons for more important ones.

What are the pros and cons of using rounded icons?

The pros of using rounded icons are listed below.

Softer and more inviting user experience: Rounded icons contribute to a visually appealing interface that feels friendly and approachable.
Improved legibility and usability: Rounded elements can be easier to process and offer larger touch targets, enhancing interaction.
Enhanced visual distinction and cohesion: Rounded corners can help define interactive elements and create a more unified design.
Modern and inclusive aesthetic: The rounded style is often seen as contemporary and can improve accessibility for users with motor impairments.

The cons of using rounded icons are listed below.

Can occupy more visual space and risk clutter: Rounded corners might require more space, and overuse can lead to a cluttered interface.
Potential for brand mismatch and user confusion: The friendly aesthetic may not suit all brands, and rounded buttons could be mistaken for tags.
Design and layout limitations: Rounded elements might not be ideal for displaying nested options or stacking neatly.
Accessibility concerns for some users: Excessively rounded corners can sometimes make interfaces difficult to read for users with visual impairments.

What are some examples of rounded icons?

Some examples of rounded icons are listed below.

App icons on iOS: The standard rounded rectangle shape with slightly rounded corners used for app icons on Apple’s iOS.
Profile pictures: Circular icons used to represent user profiles in many applications and websites.
Message bubbles: Chat or message icons that have rounded corners to mimic speech bubbles.
Button icons: Icons placed within rounded rectangle buttons for actions like “Send,” “Save,” or “Download.”
Navigation bar icons: Small, simple icons with rounded edges used in the bottom navigation bars of mobile apps.
Status indicators: Small, circular icons used to show online/offline status, battery level, or connection strength.
Avatar placeholders: Generic circular icons used as placeholders for user avatars before a custom image is uploaded.
Tag or label icons: Icons shaped like rounded rectangles or pills, often used to represent categories or tags.
Social media story icons: Circular icons often used to represent profile pictures or highlights on social media platforms.
Control knobs or dials: Icons representing interactive controls that are circular or have heavily rounded edges.

How do you create rounded icons?

Creating rounded icons: start with shape, round corners, consider radius, maintain consistency, simplify details.

You create rounded icons by following the step-by-step guide below.

Start with a basic shape: Begin by creating the fundamental shape of your icon using a vector graphics editor like Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, Figma, or Inkscape. This could be a square, rectangle, circle, or any other base form.
Round the corners: The key to creating rounded icons is, of course, rounding the corners. Most vector software provides a straightforward way to do this. You can usually select the shape and then either drag corner handles, enter a specific radius value in a properties panel, or use a dedicated “round corners” effect.
Consider the rounding radius: The amount of rounding you apply will significantly impact the style of your icon. A small radius will result in slightly softened corners, while a larger radius will create a more pill-like or circular appearance. Experiment to find the rounding that fits your desired aesthetic.
Maintain consistency: If you are creating a set of rounded icons, it’s important to maintain a consistent rounding radius across all of them. This will help create a unified and harmonious visual style.
Use strokes strategically (optional): You can further enhance the rounded look of your icon by using strokes with rounded caps and corners. This can add definition and visual interest, especially for simpler shapes.
Simplify details: Rounded icons often have a clean and simplified design. Avoid adding too many intricate details that might get lost or appear cluttered when the corners are rounded. Focus on the essential elements of your icon.
Choose a complementary color palette: The colors you choose can also contribute to the overall rounded feel. Softer or more muted color palettes can often complement rounded shapes well, but vibrant colors can also work effectively depending on the desired style.
Test at different sizes: Once you’ve created your rounded icon, it’s a good idea to test how it looks at various sizes. Ensure that the rounded corners remain visually appealing and don’t become too dominant or too subtle at different scales.
Consider a background shape: Many rounded icon styles incorporate a rounded background shape, such as a rounded square or circle. This can provide a consistent frame for your icon and further emphasize the rounded aesthetic.
Export in vector format: To ensure that your rounded icons remain crisp and scalable at any size, always export them in a vector format like svg. This is the ideal format for icons used in digital interfaces.