In the ever advancing sphere of digital content, writing roles have become increasingly specialized. UX writing and technical writing are terms often used in this space, and despite the similarities they share, they serve very different purposes.
Understanding the terms UX writing and technical writing is essential, if you’re exploring a new career path or building content strategy. Throughout this article we’ll discuss how they overlap, their definitions, and real world examples of each.
What is UX Writing?
The main focus of UX writing is the interaction between users and words inside digital products. These digital products include apps, websites, and software. These can be the small bits of text you see on buttons, error messages, tooltips, form labels, and menus.
What is the goal of UX writing? The goal of UX writing is to help guide users easily through a task. The language used has to be clear, concise, and consistent.
It is important for UX writers to work very closely with product designers, UX researchers, and developers. They ensure that their work supports usability, reinforces the brand’s voice, and reduces friction throughout the user experience.
What Is Technical Writing?
Technical writing is a form of writing that involves creating clear, concise, and structured documentation that helps users and consumers understand and utilize a product, system, or service. Technical writing focuses on translating complex technical information into simplistic content for a specific audience.
Technical writing is used for manuals, software documentation, and API documentation.
Where Do UX and Technical Writing Overlap?
Despite serving different purposes, there’s a rise of the overlap between UX writing and Technical writing, especially in agile product environments.
Both require:
- Strong writing and editing skills
- Empathy for all their users
- Collaboration with cross functional teams
- An understanding of UX design principles and workflows
For example, a technical writer might create onboarding documentation, while a UX writer writes the microcopy that guides users through that same onboarding process while inside the app.
Career Paths and Skills: UX Writing vs Technical Writing
Here’s a brief breakdown of each path:
| Skill/Path | UX Writing | Technical Writing |
| Focus | In-product copy, user flows | Support docs, APIs, manuals |
| Typical Tools | Figma, UXPin, A/B testing tools | Markdown, Confluence, Git, MadCap Flare |
| Required Skills | Conciseness, tone, UX collaboration | Accuracy, structure, information design |
| Common Backgrounds | UX design, copywriting | Engineering, journalism, instructional design |
Some professionals transition between the two both roles, especially as product and documentation teams become increasingly integrated.
Real-World Examples
Let’s put the difference into action with a couple of real world examples:
Example 1: App Sign-Up Flow
- UX Writer’s job: Write the placeholder text for a form field (“Enter your work email”), the button text (“Continue”), and a tooltip (“We’ll never share your email.”)
- Technical Writer’s job: Document the account creation process in a support article, explaining steps, possible errors, and solutions for account recovery.
Example 2: Developer Tool Integration
- UX Writer’s job: Write concise messages inside the product’s UI: “Webhook configured successfully” or “Missing API key”.
- Technical Writer’s job: Create a detailed integration guide that goes through how to generate the API key, configure endpoints, and test calls, all complete with code examples.
How Do You Know Which Path Is Right for You?
If words, user psychology, and product design align with your interests then UX writing may be your life’s calling. If you’re a more technical, methodical, and detail orientated person, technical writing will offer you a rewarding career path.
No matter which you choose, both are experiencing increasing growth, and with that increasing interdependence.
Final Thoughts
Being able to understand the differences between UX writing and technical writing is key to choosing the right role or hiring the right specialist. UX writing is centered around guiding users through tasks with intuitive copy, while technical writing goes a level deeper, explaining systems, features, and workflows in structured documentation.
