Font size controls how large text characters appear on a screen. Its main job is readability: body text, headlines, and captions should be large enough to read comfortably. Screen font size is usually measured in pixels (px), but a pixel is relative to the display rather than a fixed physical measurement. section 4.1
For body text viewed on a computer monitor, start around 16–18 px. Choose 18 px or more for long passages, and increase the size if a thin typeface makes letters harder to read. Avoid filling a page with dense blocks of text; online readers move on quickly when text feels difficult or overwhelming. section 4.1.2
Set a useful font size with this practical check:
- Choose sizes separately for body text, headlines, and captions so each remains readable. section 4.1
- Check line height alongside size. Line height is the space between lines; values around 1.5 or 2 times the font size are common. section 4.1.2
- Adjust for the typeface. Thin fonts may need a larger size than heavier, more legible faces. section 4.1.2
- In WordPress, open Appearance > Customize > Typography to find size controls. A theme or plugin may label this area Typography, Typeface, or Text. section 4.1.2
Reviewing a pet-adoption site
After applying a size, typeface, color, line height, and letter spacing, request an AI assessment of the site’s typography. A review can check whether the font size reads well on desktop and mobile, while also flagging weak hierarchy or limited visual emphasis. Treat the response as feedback to verify, not a replacement for your own design judgment. section 4.1.6
Font size works as part of a larger typography system. Pair it with an appropriate font family, style, weight, line height, and letter spacing, then fine-tune the result for the site’s topic and audience rather than relying only on theme defaults. section 4.0 section 4.1.2
