# What is a Toast Callout? ![[TypeIcon-toast-callout-inactive.jpg | 150]] Inspired by the familiar toast notifications on your mobile phone, Toast Callouts are short, lightweight messages that briefly appear on the screen, deliver information, and then fade out or remain on the side—without interrupting the user’s workflow. ![[1.33-toast-messages-mini-and-default-size.jpg]] *Image 1 - Toast Callouts, mini and default view* # Toast Callout vs. Announcement Although somewhat similar in nature, the key distinction between Toast Callouts and Announcements lies in their impact on the user experience: - **Toast Callouts** are subtle. They surface information in context, help users stay on track, and avoid disruption. They are ideal for tips, quick reminders, confirmations, or small updates. - [[Announcement Callout |Announcement Callouts]] are more forceful. They take over the screen and interrupt whatever the user is doing. Because of this, they should only be used sparingly—for urgent or critical communication such as compliance notices, policy changes, or system outages. While Announcements carry the risk of interrupting concentration and creating frustration (linked to cognitive effects like the [[Lessons from game design#The paradox of the active user |paradox of the active user]] and [[Lessons from game design#Dual-task interference |dual-task interference]]), Toast Callouts help mitigate that risk by keeping communication in the flow of work. >[!GRAVITY Tip] >Toast Callouts can be created following the usual [[How to create a Callout |Callout creation process]] or it can be created directly from Callout Hub. > >![[creating_toast_from_callout_hub.jpg]] >*Image 2 - creating a Toast Callout from Callout Hub* Not sure if the Toast Callout is the right one? Check out [[Which Callout type is the right one]]! Read more: [[How to create a Callout]] [[GRAVITY Icon Overview]] [[Information Callout]] [[Workflow Callout]] [[Single Callout]] [[Announcement Callout]]