Steve Krug Trunk Test Evaluation

Evaluate any web page's navigation clarity using the Steve Krug Trunk Test evaluation framework from Don't Make Me Think.

6 time blocks, 35 minutes in total.

Time blocks

Select Page Out of Context: 3 min
Pick a deep interior page and view it in isolation
Verify Site ID and Page Name: 5 min
Check if logo and headline immediately identify page purpose
Evaluate Primary and Local Navigation: 7 min
Confirm main site sections and page level choices are obvious
Check Breadcrumbs and Location Signs: 5 min
Ensure clear visual indicators show current site position
Test Search Placement and Functionality: 5 min
Verify search box is prominent and predictably formatted
Record Navigation Gaps and Quick Fixes: 10 min
List orientation failures and outline immediate design changes

About this routine

In his usability classic Don't Make Me Think, Steve Krug introduced the Trunk Test as a mental model for website orientation. Imagine being blindfolded, locked in a car trunk, and dropped onto a web page deep inside a site. Without seeing the home page or knowing how you arrived, you should immediately recognize where you are and how the site works.

A structured Steve Krug Trunk Test evaluation subjects any screen to six core questions. The test checks whether the site identity, page name, primary sections, local options, current location indicators, and search features are instantly recognizable to a first-time visitor.

Running this 35-minute evaluation with a routine timer online ensures team members stay objective and avoid relying on prior site knowledge. Completing this review uncovers critical navigation blind spots before users encounter them.

Why this routine works

Reveals hidden navigation gaps on interior web pages
Ensures consistent visual hierarchy across complex websites
Provides an objective framework for design reviews

FAQ

What is Steve Krug's Trunk Test?

It is a usability evaluation method from Don't Make Me Think that tests whether a web page clearly communicates site identity, page name, sections, location, options, and search without prior context.

What six questions does the Trunk Test ask?

The test asks: What site is this? What page am I on? What are the main sections? What are my options here? Where am I in the site hierarchy? How do I search?

How long does a Trunk Test evaluation take?

A focused single page evaluation takes 35 minutes to isolate the screen, answer the six orientation questions, and log required design fixes.

Sources

Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability by Steve Krug