{"id":7579,"date":"2026-11-12T12:56:53","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T12:56:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/?p=7579"},"modified":"2026-11-12T12:56:55","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T12:56:55","slug":"empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Empathy Map Template: Free Template and How to Use It"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#What_Is_an_Empathy_Map\" >What Is an Empathy Map?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Why_Empathy_Maps_Matter\" >Why Empathy Maps Matter<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#When_to_Use_an_Empathy_Map\" >When to Use an Empathy Map<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Free_Empathy_Map_Template\" >Free Empathy Map Template<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Header_Fields_to_Fill_In_First\" >Header Fields to Fill In First<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#How_to_Build_an_Empathy_Map\" >How to Build an Empathy Map<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Step_1_Prepare_Your_Research\" >Step 1: Prepare Your Research<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Step_2_Fill_In_Each_Quadrant\" >Step 2: Fill In Each Quadrant<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Step_3_Add_Pains_and_Gains\" >Step 3: Add Pains and Gains<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Step_4_Find_the_Insights\" >Step 4: Find the Insights<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Worked_Example_Choosing_a_Subscription_Plan\" >Worked Example: Choosing a Subscription Plan<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Insight_from_the_Example\" >Insight from the Example<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Empathy_Map_vs_Persona_vs_Journey_Map\" >Empathy Map vs. Persona vs. Journey Map<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#How_to_Run_an_Empathy_Mapping_Workshop\" >How to Run an Empathy Mapping Workshop<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Best_Practices\" >Best Practices<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Common_Mistakes\" >Common Mistakes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Take_Empathy_Further\" >Take Empathy Further<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#What_are_the_four_parts_of_an_empathy_map\" >What are the four parts of an empathy map?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#How_long_does_it_take_to_create_an_empathy_map\" >How long does it take to create an empathy map?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Can_I_make_an_empathy_map_without_user_research\" >Can I make an empathy map without user research?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#What_is_the_difference_between_an_empathy_map_and_a_persona\" >What is the difference between an empathy map and a persona?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Who_should_take_part_in_an_empathy_mapping_session\" >Who should take part in an empathy mapping session?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#Final_Thoughts\" >Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Teams often say they understand their users, but when you ask what those users actually think and feel, the answers get vague. An empathy map fixes that. It\u2019s a simple one-page visual that captures what a person says, thinks, does, and feels, so everyone works from the same picture of the user instead of their own assumptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide gives you a <strong>free empathy map template<\/strong>, a step-by-step process for filling it in, and ways to turn the finished map into better design decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_an_Empathy_Map\"><\/span><strong>What Is an Empathy Map?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An empathy map is a collaborative tool that organizes what you know about a user into clear sections. The classic version has four quadrants: <strong>Says, Thinks, Does, and Feels<\/strong>. Many teams add two more sections, <strong>Pains and Gains<\/strong>, to connect the map directly to design opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The map works because it separates what people <strong>say<\/strong> from what they actually <strong>think and feel<\/strong>. Those two things often differ, and the gap is where the best insights hide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Empathy_Maps_Matter\"><\/span><strong>Why Empathy Maps Matter<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A good empathy map helps teams:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Build shared understanding<\/strong> of a user quickly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Move beyond demographics<\/strong> to mindset and motivation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Spot contradictions<\/strong> between words and behavior<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prepare for personas and journey maps<\/strong> with stronger evidence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep stakeholders focused<\/strong> on real user needs in workshops<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_Use_an_Empathy_Map\"><\/span><strong>When to Use an Empathy Map<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Empathy maps fit best at the start of a project, but they\u2019re useful throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>After early interviews<\/strong>, to synthesize what you heard<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Before creating personas<\/strong>, to ground them in real behavior<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In kickoff workshops<\/strong>, to align the team<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>When teams disagree<\/strong> about what users want<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>When data feels flat<\/strong>, and you need the human story behind it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Free_Empathy_Map_Template\"><\/span><strong>Free Empathy Map Template<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Copy this layout into Figma, FigJam, Miro, Notion, or a printed poster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Says<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Thinks<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Direct quotes and statements from the user<\/td><td>Beliefs and thoughts the user may not say aloud<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Does<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Feels<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Observed actions, habits, and workarounds<\/td><td>Emotions, worries, and excitement<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Pains<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Gains<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Frustrations, obstacles, and risks<\/td><td>Goals, wants, and what success looks like<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Header_Fields_to_Fill_In_First\"><\/span><strong>Header Fields to Fill In First<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>User or persona:<\/strong> who this map represents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scenario:<\/strong> the situation or task, such as \u201cChoosing a pricing plan\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Data sources:<\/strong> interviews, observation, surveys, or support logs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Date and team members:<\/strong> so the map can be updated later<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Build_an_Empathy_Map\"><\/span><strong>How to Build an Empathy Map<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_1_Prepare_Your_Research\"><\/span><strong>Step 1: Prepare Your Research<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gather real material before you start. Interview notes, session recordings, survey comments, and support tickets all work. Choose <strong>one user type<\/strong> and <strong>one scenario<\/strong>, because a map that covers everyone describes no one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_2_Fill_In_Each_Quadrant\"><\/span><strong>Step 2: Fill In Each Quadrant<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Says<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Write exact quotes whenever possible, such as \u201cI never know what the final price will be.\u201d Direct quotes keep the map honest and give stakeholders language they can\u2019t dismiss as opinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Thinks<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Record what the user is probably thinking behind the words, such as \u201cIf I choose wrong, I\u2019ll waste money.\u201d These are inferences, so mark them clearly and check them against more research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Does<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">List observed actions and behaviors, such as opening several tabs to compare prices or abandoning a form halfway. Include workarounds, because they show where your product falls short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Feels<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note emotions like anxiety, frustration, relief, or confidence. Connect each feeling to a trigger so it\u2019s actionable, for example \u201cAnxious when the total changes at checkout.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_3_Add_Pains_and_Gains\"><\/span><strong>Step 3: Add Pains and Gains<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pains:<\/strong> barriers, fears, annoyances, and risks the user faces<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gains:<\/strong> desired outcomes and how the user measures success<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep entries <strong>short, specific, and in the user\u2019s language<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_4_Find_the_Insights\"><\/span><strong>Step 4: Find the Insights<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Step back and look for patterns:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Contradictions<\/strong>, such as saying one thing and doing another<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Repeated themes<\/strong> across several entries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emotional peaks<\/strong> that point to high-impact problems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then write <strong>three to five insight statements<\/strong> in this format: \u201c[User] needs [need] because [reason].\u201d Turn each into a design question, such as \u201cHow might we make final pricing clear earlier?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Worked_Example_Choosing_a_Subscription_Plan\"><\/span><strong>Worked Example: Choosing a Subscription Plan<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Quadrant<\/th><th>Example Entries<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Says<\/strong><\/td><td>\u201cI never know what the final price will be.\u201d<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Thinks<\/strong><\/td><td>\u201cIf I pick the wrong plan, I\u2019ll be stuck paying for features I don\u2019t need.\u201d<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Does<\/strong><\/td><td>Opens several tabs and totals prices in a notes app<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Feels<\/strong><\/td><td>Anxious, impatient, and distrustful of hidden fees<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Pains<\/strong><\/td><td>Unclear tiers, surprise charges, slow support replies<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Gains<\/strong><\/td><td>Transparent pricing, easy plan switching, quick confirmation<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Insight_from_the_Example\"><\/span><strong>Insight from the Example<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Users double-check prices elsewhere because totals are unclear, which creates anxiety and drop-off. A transparent price summary and an easy downgrade option could reduce hesitation and build trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Empathy_Map_vs_Persona_vs_Journey_Map\"><\/span><strong>Empathy Map vs. Persona vs. Journey Map<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Tool<\/th><th>Main Focus<\/th><th>Best For<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Empathy map<\/strong><\/td><td>Mindset and emotions in a specific situation<\/td><td>Quick alignment and insight<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Persona<\/strong><\/td><td>Goals, needs, and behaviors of a segment<\/td><td>Ongoing reference for decisions<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Journey map<\/strong><\/td><td>The experience across stages over time<\/td><td>Finding friction in a full process<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They work best together. An empathy map feeds a persona, and a persona anchors a journey map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Run_an_Empathy_Mapping_Workshop\"><\/span><strong>How to Run an Empathy Mapping Workshop<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Empathy maps are especially effective as team exercises. A simple 60-minute format works well:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>10 minutes:<\/strong> share the research summary and scenario<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>15 minutes:<\/strong> everyone writes sticky notes silently for each quadrant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>15 minutes:<\/strong> place notes on the map and group similar ones<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>10 minutes:<\/strong> discuss contradictions, pains, and gains<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>10 minutes:<\/strong> write insight statements and agree on next steps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Silent writing first prevents the loudest voices from steering the session. Invite designers, product managers, engineers, support staff, and anyone else who talks to users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Practices\"><\/span><strong>Best Practices<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Use real data<\/strong>, and label assumptions as assumptions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prefer quotes<\/strong> over paraphrases in the Says section<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep entries brief<\/strong> so the map stays readable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Separate observation from inference<\/strong>, especially in Thinks and Feels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Create one map per user type<\/strong> and scenario<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Finish with actions<\/strong>, not just a poster<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Update the map<\/strong> as you learn more<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Mistakes\"><\/span><strong>Common Mistakes<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Filling it from imagination<\/strong> instead of research<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mixing thoughts into the Says section<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mapping every user at once<\/strong>, which blurs insights<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Treating the map as the final deliverable<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skipping follow-up<\/strong>, so nothing changes in the product<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Leaving out the people who talk to customers daily<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Take_Empathy_Further\"><\/span><strong>Take Empathy Further<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An empathy map is only as reliable as the research behind it. Professional <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/services\/ux-research\">UX research services<\/a><\/strong> can supply the interviews and observations that make every quadrant trustworthy. To bring stakeholders into the process, a facilitated <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/design-thinking-workshops\">design thinking workshop<\/a><\/strong> can guide your team from empathy mapping to ideas and priorities in one session. And when insights point to a redesign, experienced <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/services\/ui-ux-design-services\">UI\/UX design services<\/a><\/strong> can turn them into tested, user-centered interfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_four_parts_of_an_empathy_map\"><\/span><strong>What are the four parts of an empathy map?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Says, Thinks, Does, and Feels. Many teams add Pains and Gains as two extra sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_does_it_take_to_create_an_empathy_map\"><\/span><strong>How long does it take to create an empathy map?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With research ready, a focused session takes 30 to 60 minutes. Gathering the research usually takes longer than building the map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_make_an_empathy_map_without_user_research\"><\/span><strong>Can I make an empathy map without user research?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can create an assumption map to surface what the team believes, but label it clearly and validate it with real users soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_an_empathy_map_and_a_persona\"><\/span><strong>What is the difference between an empathy map and a persona?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An empathy map captures what a user thinks and feels in a specific situation. A persona summarizes the goals, needs, and behaviors of a whole user segment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_should_take_part_in_an_empathy_mapping_session\"><\/span><strong>Who should take part in an empathy mapping session?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Designers, product managers, engineers, researchers, and customer-facing staff. Different perspectives make the map richer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts\"><\/span><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An empathy map is a fast, low-cost way to see the world as your user does. Use the template, base it on real research, look for contradictions, and finish with clear insights and next steps. Small exercises like this often change big product decisions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Teams often say they understand their users, but when you ask what those users actually think and feel, the answers get vague. An empathy map fixes that. It\u2019s a simple one-page visual that captures what a person says, thinks, does, and feels, so everyone works from the same picture of the user instead of their&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Empathy Map Template: Free Template and How to Use It<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Empathy Map Template: Free Template &amp; How to Use It<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Free empathy map template with Says, Thinks, Does, Feels, Pains, and Gains. Learn how to build one step by step, with a worked example and workshop tips.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Empathy Map Template: Free Template &amp; How to Use It\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Free empathy map template with Says, Thinks, Does, Feels, Pains, and Gains. Learn how to build one step by step, with a worked example and workshop tips.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"OriginUX Studio\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-11-12T12:56:53+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-11-12T12:56:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"master.origin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"master.origin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"master.origin\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/735b211d8a21c6181bb758144923ef3c\"},\"headline\":\"Empathy Map Template: Free Template and How to Use It\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-11-12T12:56:53+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-11-12T12:56:55+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/\"},\"wordCount\":1288,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#organization\"},\"articleSection\":[\"Blog\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/\",\"name\":\"Empathy Map Template: Free Template & How to Use It\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-11-12T12:56:53+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-11-12T12:56:55+00:00\",\"description\":\"Free empathy map template with Says, Thinks, Does, Feels, Pains, and Gains. Learn how to build one step by step, with a worked example and workshop tips.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Empathy Map Template: Free Template and How to Use It\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/\",\"name\":\"OriginUX Studio\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#organization\",\"name\":\"OriginUX Studio\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/origin-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/origin-logo.png\",\"width\":120,\"height\":120,\"caption\":\"OriginUX Studio\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/735b211d8a21c6181bb758144923ef3c\",\"name\":\"master.origin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/356acc98edd1351e180a192318e3335999f553b20c01c8a00391239e394d4727?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/356acc98edd1351e180a192318e3335999f553b20c01c8a00391239e394d4727?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/356acc98edd1351e180a192318e3335999f553b20c01c8a00391239e394d4727?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"master.origin\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/author\/master-origin\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Empathy Map Template: Free Template & How to Use It","description":"Free empathy map template with Says, Thinks, Does, Feels, Pains, and Gains. Learn how to build one step by step, with a worked example and workshop tips.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Empathy Map Template: Free Template & How to Use It","og_description":"Free empathy map template with Says, Thinks, Does, Feels, Pains, and Gains. Learn how to build one step by step, with a worked example and workshop tips.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/","og_site_name":"OriginUX Studio","article_published_time":"2026-11-12T12:56:53+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-11-12T12:56:55+00:00","author":"master.origin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"master.origin","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/"},"author":{"name":"master.origin","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/735b211d8a21c6181bb758144923ef3c"},"headline":"Empathy Map Template: Free Template and How to Use It","datePublished":"2026-11-12T12:56:53+00:00","dateModified":"2026-11-12T12:56:55+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/"},"wordCount":1288,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#organization"},"articleSection":["Blog"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/","url":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/","name":"Empathy Map Template: Free Template & How to Use It","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-11-12T12:56:53+00:00","dateModified":"2026-11-12T12:56:55+00:00","description":"Free empathy map template with Says, Thinks, Does, Feels, Pains, and Gains. Learn how to build one step by step, with a worked example and workshop tips.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/blog\/empathy-map-template-free-template-and-how-to-use-it\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Empathy Map Template: Free Template and How to Use It"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/","name":"OriginUX Studio","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#organization","name":"OriginUX Studio","url":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/origin-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/origin-logo.png","width":120,"height":120,"caption":"OriginUX Studio"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/735b211d8a21c6181bb758144923ef3c","name":"master.origin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/356acc98edd1351e180a192318e3335999f553b20c01c8a00391239e394d4727?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/356acc98edd1351e180a192318e3335999f553b20c01c8a00391239e394d4727?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/356acc98edd1351e180a192318e3335999f553b20c01c8a00391239e394d4727?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"master.origin"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.originux.com"],"url":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/author\/master-origin\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7579","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7579"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7579\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7580,"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7579\/revisions\/7580"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7579"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7579"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originux.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7579"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}