A system and method for improved directional focus navigation in a user interface is provided. The directional focus navigation engine may receive directional input for changing the input focus of a user interface object in the user interface. A target candidate selector may select target candidates in a direction of travel among one or more user interface objects for receiving the input focus. A target candidate scorer may score the target candidates selected and the directional focus navigation engine may change the input focus to user interface object based upon the scoring. Scoring the target candidates may be biased when navigation continues in the same traversal direction for changing input focus.