A lining number is an upright numeral with a shared baseline and height. Its orderly shape makes dense numerical displays easier to scan than displays using old-style numbers. section 5.2.2
Choose number styles according to how the data will be read:
- Use lining numbers for tables and other displays where consistent vertical alignment matters. section 5.2.2
- Do not confuse lining with tabular numbers: lining numbers share baseline and height, while tabular numbers give every numeral the same width. section 5.2.2
- Old-style numbers can suit prose but look scattered in tables; proportional numbers use space efficiently in prose but do not align vertically. section 5.2.2
- For especially consistent layouts, consider a uniwidth or multiplexed font whose character widths remain aligned across weights. section 5.2.2
A quick visual comparison
A table set in old-style numbers looks jumbled because numerals vary in height and baseline. Lining numbers look neat and tidy, while tabular numbers additionally let readers estimate relative magnitude quickly.
