When you’re designing a website, one thing is certain: words matter.
But it’s not just what you say—it’s how you make it look. This is where Typography best practices come into play.
Ever been on a website with text so cramped, you had to squint?
Or maybe the font was so fancy it felt like solving a puzzle just to read it?
Good typography isn’t about being “pretty.”
It’s about getting users to read effortlessly and keeping them around.
So, how do you make your text do the heavy lifting without distracting users?
Let’s break it down, with practical tips you can apply right away.
Why Typography Can Make or Break Your Website
Here’s the thing: about 95% of the content on the web is text.
That’s a lot of reading.
People scroll, skim, and look for what stands out.
If they’re on your page and have to work to read, they’ll probably bail.
Good typography doesn’t just make text readable—it builds trust.
As Oliver Reichenstein says, “Web Design is 95% Typography.”
And he’s right. If your text is hard to read, nothing else will matter.
The Must-Haves for Effective Typography
Here are the essentials every site should nail down for typography.
1. Keep It Readable and Legible
Readability is about making your text easy to process, while legibility is about making it easy to see each character.
Both matter.
- Font choice: Stick with clean, simple fonts. Sans-serif fonts like Arial and Helvetica work well on screens.
- Font size: Aim for at least 16px for body text. If people are zooming in, the font’s too small.
- Line height and spacing: A line height of 1.5 times the font size usually works well. And don’t cram your lines too close.
Pro tip: Test your font choice on both desktop and mobile. What looks great on a monitor can be a nightmare on a phone.
2. Create a Visual Hierarchy
A clear hierarchy lets users know what’s important without even thinking about it.
Hierarchy means organizing text so users can scan and know where to start and stop.
- Headings: Use larger, bolder fonts for headings.
- Subheadings: Use a slightly smaller size for subheadings, but keep them distinct.
- Body text: Standard size, regular weight.
Basically, each level of text should feel different.
It’s like guiding readers down a staircase of information.
And when you format this way, users know exactly where to look first.
3. Use Contrast for Accessibility
Not everyone has perfect eyesight, so contrast matters.
For the best readability, make sure your text stands out from the background.
A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for body text, and this can keep your design accessible.
Want an example? Just think of dark text on a light background or vice versa.
Avoid low-contrast combinations like grey on white or light blue on white. They’re harder to read and not friendly for people with visual impairments.
Check out the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative for more on contrast standards.
4. Consistency is Key
Consistency isn’t just about making your site look clean. It’s about user experience.
Imagine a site where every page uses different fonts and sizes—annoying, right?
- Stick to two or three fonts at most: One for headings, one for body text, and maybe a third for accents.
- Make sure styles match across pages. If your header is bold on one page, keep it that way everywhere.
Using the same typefaces and sizes across your site builds familiarity, which makes users feel at ease.
Common Typography Mistakes That Drive Users Away
Even experienced designers can slip up with these common errors:
- Too many font styles: More than two or three, and your page looks like a circus.
- Tiny text: Small fonts aren’t just hard to read—they make people feel you’re not considering them.
- Long lines of text: Aim for line lengths of around 50-75 characters. Longer lines are harder to follow, especially on screens.
FAQs About Typography in Web Design
Q: Why should I care so much about typography?
A: Typography impacts whether people stay on your site. If they can’t read your content easily, they’ll move on. Simple as that.
Q: Which fonts should I avoid on the web?
A: Complex or decorative fonts. Keep it simple and modern—anything hard to read will just add frustration.
Q: How can I make sure my typography is accessible?
A: High contrast, decent font size, and enough line spacing. And don’t forget to test it on mobile!
Closing Thoughts: Make Typography Work for You
Typography isn’t about making things “pretty.”
It’s about making things work.
When users can read without squinting, they’ll stay longer, engage more, and trust your brand.
And that’s the end goal, isn’t it?
