Readability is how easily intended readers can recognize and understand displayed text. On websites, it begins with characters large enough to read and type choices that remain clear on screens. section 4.1
Typography supports readability through typeface, size, hierarchy, spacing, consistency, and contrast. Verdana is highlighted as a strong general choice because its wide, widely spaced characters were designed for onscreen reading. section 4.1 section 4.1.3
Check readability before publishing:
- Compare body text, headlines, and captions on different devices and screen sizes. section 4.1.5
- Separate headings, subheadings, and body text through consistent size or weight, while maintaining a uniform site-wide style. section 4.1.5
- Choose accessible fonts, consider multilingual coverage, and test loading performance for visitors with slower connections. section 4.1.5
Recipe homepage
A minimalist recipe homepage that disperses “INSTANT POT” across the page can disrupt readability. Straightforward typography or improved kerning would make the title easier to read, while a clearer tagline and call to action would strengthen the page’s communication. section 6.9.1
Figure 4.1 Verdana’s clean and simple design makes it readable on a variety of screen sizes, and it’s an excellent choice for many types of websites.
Compare Verdana’s clean, simple letterforms and spacing across screen sizes when selecting a readable website typeface. section 4.1.3
