Every common UI menu icon and its use case

Icons play a crucial role in user interface (UI) navigation, helping users interact seamlessly with digital platforms by providing visual cues for navigation. Among the most common UI icons are the hamburger, kebab, döner, bento, and meatballs menus, each named after food items and serving distinct purposes in digital navigation. The hamburger menu, consisting of three horizontal lines, is widely used for internal navigation due to its space-saving design, whereas the kebab menu, represented by three vertical dots, is typically used for external or overflow options. The döner menu, with its vertically stacked lines of varying lengths, is often used for filtering options, while the bento menu, a grid of dots, organizes functions within an app, similar to a Japanese bento box. The meatballs menu, a horizontal arrangement of dots, provides additional options or settings. Breadcrumbs, represented by arrows, assist in tracking user navigation paths, especially in complex systems. These icons have evolved alongside historical UI systems like flyouts, dropdowns, and carousels, each serving specific navigational needs. Despite their utility, designers must carefully select icons based on user demographics and preferences to ensure optimal usability, as minimalist designs like the hamburger menu may not be favored by all user groups.