Font Type

The choice of font on a website or application can greatly impact the user experience. Using legible, accessible fonts ensures content is easy to read and comprehend. This article will examine the characteristics of legible fonts, compare serif and sans-serif styles, recommend top fonts for legibility, and discuss accessibility.

What Makes a Font Legible?

Legibility refers to how easy it is to distinguish one letter from another in a font.

Adequate size - Fonts sized 12-14 pts are optimal for reading on screens
Open letter shapes - Letters with open shapes (e.g. a, c, e) are more legible
Distinct shapes - Unique letter shapes help differentiate between similar letters
Appropriate spacing - Generous spacing between letters prevents crowding
High contrast - Dark lettering on light background provides most contrast

Serif vs. Sans-Serif Fonts

Serif - Letters have small lines attached. Example: Times New Roman
Sans-serif - Letters do not have attached lines. Example: Arial

Best Fonts for Legibility

Font Name

Description

Arial

Highly legible sans-serif font designed for clarity. Works for both headlines and body text.

Verdana

Sans-serif font optimized for small sizes on screens. Features generous spacing between letters.

Georgia

A serif font designed for legibility on screens. Has a large x-height.

Tahoma

Sans-serif font with open letter forms. Suitable for small text.

Calibri

Popular sans-serif choice with a tall x-height and distinct letter shapes. Displays well on screens.

Century Gothic

Highly legible geometric sans-serif font. The simple letterforms maximize clarity.

Open Sans

Clean, modern sans-serif font designed for legibility across platforms.

Lato

Sans-serif with a large x-height and open letter forms. Works well at small sizes.

PT Sans

Features tall ascenders and descenders. Originally designed for printed documents.

Roboto

Geometric yet friendly sans-serif font optimized for digital interfaces.

Accessibility and Fonts

Clearly recognizable letterforms - Readers should be able to easily distinguish between similar letters.
Simple designs - Avoid highly stylized or decorative fonts.
Wide availability - Use fonts that are installed on most systems.
Multiple weights - Offer bolded text options to maximize contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

01.

Which fonts are the most readable on websites?

The most readable web fonts are sans-serif options like Arial, Verdana, Calibri, Helvetica, and Open Sans. These have clean, simple designs optimized for clarity on screens.

02.

How can I make sure my font is accessible?

Choose simple sans-serif fonts with easily recognizable letterforms, multiple weights, and wide availability across devices and operating systems. Avoid highly stylized fonts.

03.

What font size should I use for online text?

Aim for font sizes between 12-14 pixels for body text. Headlines can be 14-18 pixels. Smaller text, under 12 pixels, will reduce readability.

04.

Do serif or sans-serif fonts work better online?

Sans-serif fonts are usually more legible online because of their simplicity and high contrast on screens. But serif fonts can still work well if sized appropriately.

Conclusion

Font choice significantly impacts the reading experience for users. By allowing users to select legible, accessible fonts that are optimized for clarity and ease of reading, websites and apps can improve usability and accessibility. Factors like size, spacing, contrast, and simplicity all contribute to a font's legibility. When designing for screens, sans-serif fonts tend to provide the greatest legibility. However, serif fonts can still be used successfully with proper sizing. Keeping these principles in mind will allow designers to choose fonts that maximize readability across contexts.