Did you say accessible? Choosing the right web typography

Choosing a typeface for your website can’t simply be based on how attractive it looks. You also need to consider how accessible it is, ensuring it is clear and easy to view for all audiences. An accessible font does not necessarily mean having to compromise on style, but there are a few factors you should consider.

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Avoid ambiguity

When choosing fonts, make sure you select a style that has no elements of ambiguity between particular sets of similar-looking characters. Examples where confusion might develop include between 8 and B, O and 0, and 1 and l. Make sure you choose a font that has open terminals between 6 and 9 for easy reading.

Say no to childish fonts

Many people choose fonts that have a childish appeal when trying to create an accessible website. This doesn’t work, as it not only patronises your audience but can also give off the completely wrong impression. First and foremost, think about your brand image and personality and how you can showcase this in your typography within the limits of being accessible. Now whilst your font choices won’t necessarily affect your search rankings you may want to check with a Professional SEO services company such as elevate uk to see whether there are any suggestions that they have for including in your text. 

Test on a background

Even if your font looks good on a white background, make sure its weight and style work well by testing it on a dark background. pacing tends to look tighter and shapes appear to glow on a dark background, making the font appear heavier than it actually is.

Suitable for different sizes

Choosing the right font that injects your business style and personality while optimising accessibility can be tricky; therefore, it can be beneficial to consult a design company that provides web design. One aspect that design professionals will be certain to consider is how your font looks at various sizes.

You might need to scale your font up or down to suit various formats and communications. Gaps between letters at different sizes, especially small ones, can all affect how accessible the text appears. A sans serif font is suitable for text at 16 pts or above, for example. Always choose open counters and terminals for maximum legibility.

Consider height

To ensure your letter shapes are clear, choose a typeface with a large x-height, with extended ascenders and descenders. A character stroke that is around 17-20{fc3cc4819efde523aa5feee98ed9dadffff73f78a79cc7ef8c096cfc01c5f905} of the x-height is deemed the easiest to read.