As stated by Mustafa in his study, typography is the art of arranging and visually presenting text in design. The same principle applies to websites, which require proper typography settings to enhance user experience. The following 10 tips on typography in web design can help you achieve that.
This guide is especially valuable for designers, front-end developers, UI/UX specialists, and business owners to ensure readers can easily interact with the content. Ignoring typography aspects in web design may cause visitors to leave the website due to poor readability.
Key takeaways:
Typography in websites is not just about choosing the most stylish typeface but also about creating a clean and well-structured layout, so that the message is delivered effectively. Here are 10 typography tips in web design that you can start applying.
Don’t get it wrong, Helvetica, Arial, and Times New Roman are typefaces, while a font is a specific version of a typeface, such as Helvetica Bold. For websites, if you want to use more than two typefaces, make sure they complement each other.
For example, you can use sans-serif for body text and serif for headings. It’s even safer if you stick to standard font options to maintain readability across different devices. Using overly unique fonts may distract readers from the actual content.
Imagine reading website content with text that’s too small. Surely it would be inconvenient to keep zooming in. That’s why using a proportional font size is essential to maintain readability for users.
In general, web designers use a minimum font size of 16 pixels. This size is considered ideal enough to read comfortably without zooming in, so readers don’t struggle when accessing your content.
Also Read : Leading, Kerning, and Tracking: 3 Key Elements in Typography
Examples of websites that implement visual hierarchy | Source: Freepik
Besides font size, you also need to establish a hierarchy within your content, starting with H1, H2, H3, and so on. This makes it easier for readers to skim through the content to find the information they need.
A useful tip for creating visual hierarchy is to use larger and bolder fonts for headings, while the body text should be displayed in smaller fonts.
Keeping readers engaged on your website requires extra effort. One way is by limiting line length so that readers’ eyes don’t get tired from constantly moving back and forth across the screen.
Ideally, each line should contain 50–75 characters to enhance readability and user experience. Avoid presenting content that’s too wide, as it makes it harder for readers to stay focused.
Also Read : Anatomy of Typography: A Complete Guide to Learn Typography
Example of a good and bad website layout | Source: HubSpot
Setting line spacing too tightly makes it difficult for readers to follow the text. On the other hand, spacing that’s too wide may improve readability but takes up more vertical space on the screen.
According to Zignuts, the optimal rule for line spacing is about 30% higher than the character height to ensure better readability.
Example of a landing page that uses more than one typeface | Source: Freepik
It’s fine if you want to use more than one font for your website. However, make sure the fonts create a harmonious combination, and it’s not recommended to use more than three different types. Using too many different fonts can distract readers and disrupt their focus while reading.
It’s undeniable that animations can attract readers’ attention. However, they can also reduce content readability, especially if the text animations blink or flash, as this can annoy readers.
Also Read : Baseline Typography: How to Apply and Fix the Problem
Example of text that uses capital letters | Freepik
Using capital letters on a website is fine if applied properly, such as in titles, subtitles, or logos. However, turning all body text into uppercase will burden readers. If you want to emphasize certain parts of text, an alternative option is to use bold formatting.
WebAIM to help check color contrast | Source: WebAIM
It’s important to choose contrasting colors between the background and the text to maintain readability. For example, black text on a white background. You can also follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) recommendation of a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
To ensure the typography you use meets readers’ needs, conduct testing. Tools for this include A/B testing with Google Optimize or heatmaps.
Also Read : Orphan in Typography: Unleash the Meaning Behind the Term
One of the 10 tips on typography in web design mentioned above is choosing the right font. You can explore a collection of fonts in modern, elegant, and even retro styles at Zarma Type.
Fonts like Buccario – Elegant Serif Font, Qufina – Modern Sans Serif Font, and Bringbold Nineties – Classic Serif Font can help you choose the one that best fits your brand identity and achieve suitable typography for your website!
