Which Typeface?

 Back to Main Index

Fonts can be subdivided in two general visual categories:
Serif and Sans-serif.

Serif Fonts

• Serif fonts have curls, small appendixes at the end of each letter.
• Serif fonts are mostly used in newspapers and books when text is small and tight.
• Serif fonts include: Times, Palatino, Garamond, Century Schoolbook, Book Antiqua, and all other fonts characterized by tiny appendixes at the end of their forms.

Sans Serif Fonts

• Sans-serif fonts (from the French word "sans" that means without) are all those fonts which have letters with straight lines and no curls or appendixes. Their letterform is neat, defined, clean.
• They are mostly used for titles, captions, callouts, and in general any time there is not too much text and readability is an issue.
• Sans-serif fonts include: Arial, Helvetica, Futura, Tahoma, Avant-Garde, Univers, Century Gothic, Verdana, and all other fonts characterized by clean letterforms.

PowerPoint

• Tails on serif typefaces make these fonts easier to read in print.
• Sans serif is usually easier to read when projected onto a large screen.
• It is a good idea to do a font test prior to a presentation, if possible. Make a slide containing several fonts that you are thinking about using and project them onto a screen in a setting similar to the one you will be presenting in.
• Avoid using more than two different fonts on a slide during a presentation. Too many can make a slide look cluttered and reduces readability.
• If you feel you must use flowery or fancy fonts use them sparingly on each slide.

On line documents - Web Pages

• Use a sans serif font for online reading

• Use mixed case

• Minimize the number of different fonts

• Avoid using coloured fonts

• Use bold sparingly only for emphasis

• Avoid using underlining

• Keep line lengths short

• Be clear and concise

• Write to allow users to easily scan

Avoid the following:

• Using all uppercase for large text areas

• Using italics for large text areas

• Using bolded text for large text areas.

• Be careful when using coloured text. Use dark text on light backgrounds to provide the most contrast.

Mixed-case, black and un-bolded text is easier to read for large text areas.

Use colour and bold only to draw attention to important items.

Back to Top                                            Back to Main Index

In Summary

Most typefaces are either high or low on the readability scale simply because of the way they are designed.  In addition to the structure of the typeface, there are other factors that make text more readable or less so.

Serif vs. sans serif

• There are arguments about exactly why, but extensive studies do show today, in our society, a large amount of text is easier to read when set in a serif typeface.
• On-screen, sans serif faces may be more readable.

CAPS vs. lowercase

• We don't read letter by letter - we read in phrases. A significant factor in our recognition of words is the shape of the word.
• But when words are set in all caps, every word has a rectangular shape and we have to go back to reading the letters.
• SO, FOR BETTER READABILITY, AVOID ALL CAPS.

Letter spacing (kerning) and word spacing

• Since we read in phrases, uneven letter and word spacing disturbs our natural reading pattern.
• So does spacing that is too close or too far apart.
• You get terrible word spacing when text is justified in a narrow column.

Line spacing (leading)

• Line spacing that is too tight decreases readability because it makes it difficult for the reader to separate the individual words and phrases.
• It also makes it more difficult to find the beginning of the next line.

Reverse, italic, or script

• Special styles make type less readable in extended text. Use them sparingly.

Tips

Moderation in every area of presentations, documents and web pages is the key to readability.

This does not mean that you have to dull and boring presentations or documents, you just need to think about your choices of fonts before selecting a font type or clicking on the bold, italics or underline button.