A sans serif typeface uses plain letterforms without projecting finishing strokes or “curlicues,” usually with little variation in line width. For many websites, it is a dependable starting point because its clean, simple appearance supports readable body text and a modern look. section 4.1.3 section 4.1.6
Choose the typeface to fit the site’s purpose and audience. A script or calligraphic face can suit a wedding planner, while a sporting-goods site needs something less decorative. Serif faces such as Times Roman can suggest formality, conservatism, reliability, or trustworthiness; sans serif faces are recommended for most general website use. section 4.1.3
For a practical website choice, start with these options and checks:
- Use Verdana for many sites when onscreen readability is the priority: it was designed for screen reading, with clean lines, relatively wide characters, and generous spacing. section 4.1.3
- Use Arial as a versatile, common sans serif option for computer screens and websites. section 4.1.4
- Use Helvetica for clean, modern body text in print or on websites. section 4.1.4
- Use Futura when a geometric, futuristic visual character fits the design, or Impact for bold advertising and headlines. section 4.1.4
- Check the theme defaults first; if no typeface is specified, browsers commonly default body text to a generic sans serif at 16 px. CSS can later refine the choice without requiring manual CSS writing. section 4.1.4
Improve a recipe-site headline
If a handwritten headline is slow to read, replace it with a standard website sans serif such as Verdana. The change favors quick reading while leaving color consistency, imagery, and navigation as separate design decisions. section 6.9
Sans serif does not automatically make typography distinctive. A clean sans serif can be readable on desktop and mobile, but a page may still need deliberate heading size, bold weight, italics, contrast, or other hierarchy to make important information easy to scan and the design more memorable. section 4.1.6
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 with the practical goal of readable text across screen sizes. section 4.1.3
