Updated: 31 October 2026

Kinder error messages for your app

This prompt rewrites your error messages in plain language without blame, telling the user exactly what to do next and keeping them short.

text-error-message-microcopy — chatgpt — 49 words

Rewrite these error messages so they are clear and human:

[PASTE ERRORS]

Product and users: [PRODUCT AND AUDIENCE]

For each, explain what happened in plain language, avoid blame, tell the user exactly what to do next and keep it under 20 words. Give one alternative with a lighter tone.

Edit in the builder Copy & open ChatGPT ↗Copy & open Gemini ↗Copy & open Claude ↗

Say what happened, why and what to do next in one or two short sentences.

Get a better result

What you will get

Each error rewritten in under 20 words: what happened in plain language, no blame, and exactly what to do next, plus a lighter alternative for each.

Why it works

Error messages appear when users are already stuck, so the prompt asks for plain language, no blame and a next step. The 20 word limit keeps them readable at a glance. The tip’s pattern (what happened, why, what to do) is the structure that turns a dead end into a path forward.

Common mistake

The rewrite hides the real problem.

Fix: “Something went wrong” helps nobody. Give the AI the cause of each error so the message can say it.

Also watch for

The light tone appears on a serious error. Keep jokes away from payments, data loss and security. Ask it to mark which errors suit the lighter version.
The next step is something the user cannot do. Tell it what users can control. “Contact your admin” only works if they have one.

Try a variation: empty states

Ask for messages for empty screens, such as no results or no saved items, each with a short reason and a button.

Still not right? Reply with this

Here is what causes each error: [CAUSES]. Rewrite the messages so each one says what went wrong and the exact next step.