Typography and Readability on the Web

Most web typography discussions focus on aesthetics—which font pairings look good, what sizes feel modern, which weights convey the right tone. These matter, but they miss something more fundamental: typography's role in making text actually readable.

Research consistently shows that typography choices significantly impact reading speed, comprehension, and user satisfaction [1]. On the web, where attention is scarce and distractions are abundant, readable typography isn't a nice-to-have—it's a requirement.

The Reading Experience

When we read, our eyes don't move smoothly across text. They jump in small saccades, pausing briefly to process groups of words. Good typography makes these jumps easier and the pauses more productive.

Consider line length. Too short, and the eye jumps too frequently, breaking the flow. Too long, and the eye struggles to find the next line. Research suggests an optimal range of 45-75 characters per line [2], though this varies with font size and screen size.

Line height matters similarly. Too tight, and lines blur together. Too loose, and the eye loses its place. A ratio of 1.4-1.6 times the font size generally works well for body text.

Web-Specific Challenges

Print typography principles translate imperfectly to screens. Screens emit light rather than reflecting it, which can cause eye strain. Users may have different default font sizes, screen resolutions, or accessibility needs. The same page might be viewed on a phone, tablet, or desktop.

This variability isn't a bug—it's a feature. The web's flexibility allows users to customize their reading experience. Our job as designers is to provide sensible defaults that work across contexts.

Some practical guidelines:

• Use relative units (rem, em) rather than pixels for font sizes
• Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background [1]
• Provide adequate spacing between paragraphs and sections
• Test at different zoom levels and screen sizes

Beyond Aesthetics

Typography serves multiple functions: it establishes hierarchy, guides the eye, and creates rhythm. But its primary function is to make text readable. Everything else is secondary.

This doesn't mean typography should be boring. Beautiful and readable aren't mutually exclusive. The best typography is both—it draws you in and keeps you reading.

As Jan Tschichold wrote, "The purpose of typography is communication" [4]. Every choice should serve that purpose. If a font choice makes text harder to read, it's the wrong choice, regardless of how stylish it looks.

A Practical Approach

Start with readability. Choose fonts that are legible at small sizes, set line lengths that feel comfortable, and ensure sufficient contrast. Then refine for aesthetics within those constraints.

Test with real content, not placeholder text. Lorem ipsum doesn't reveal how typography handles long words, complex sentences, or varied content. Read your own writing in the typeface you're considering. If it feels harder to read, it probably is.

Remember that users will customize. Some will increase font sizes. Some will use dark mode. Some will use screen readers. Design for these variations, not against them.

The goal isn't pixel-perfect control—it's creating a reading experience that works well for as many people as possible, across as many contexts as possible. That's typography's real job on the web.