What is the optimal font size?
James Williams
Published May 06, 2026
Optimal font sizes for desktop There are no exact rules for font sizing, but there are some generally good practices to think about when designing for desktop: Body text - Font sizes should be around 16px to 18px for legibility (or 1.6rem to 1.8rem using our sizing rules mentioned above).
Subsequently, one may also ask, what font size is best?
16px is the ideal font size for your main body text. It's neither too small nor too big, so it really helps improve your paragraph's readability. In fact, the font size we use in the main content areas of our articles is 16px.
Also Know, is font size 10 too small? Most textbooks will use 10 to 12pt type. 10pt type is generally readable provided the font is well designed and line spacing is appropriate. (Personal opinion: That san serif text is horrible. Letter spacing is horrendous and it is not a very "readable" typeface to use at a small size.
In this way, is size 14 font too big?
As is usual, the answer is “it depends.” But in most cases, 14–16 point is larger than would be normal/appropriate. Specifically it depends on: typeface (font) choice. book content.
What is a standard font size?
12 point
Related Question Answers
Is size 11 font too small?
No, size 11 font is not too small for a resume. In fact, size 10.5 font is even okay as long as it's still easy for the hiring manager to read. Because some fonts are slightly smaller than others, always check that your font is readable no matter the size.Is it better to read big or small font?
Neither. For any given content, viewing conditions, typeface, and other variables, there will be an optimum size range; within this range testing will show little if any difference. Going too big or too small will slow the reader and at extremes cause eye strain. Generally too small is the more common problem, however.What font is most pleasing to the eye?
Arial, Helvetica and Verdana are the most common. They're usually used online, but are becoming increasingly acceptable in printed materials. The generally accepted wisdom is that serifed typefaces are better for printed material, because the serifs guide the reader's eye along the line.How do I determine font size?
Font sizes are measured in points; 1 point (abbreviated pt) is equal to 1/72 of an inch. The point size refers to the height of a character. Thus, a 12-pt font is 1/6 inch in height.What is the most professional font and size?
The most common font to use is Times New Roman, in black and size 12 points. Other serif fonts (with tails) to consider that are easy to read include: Georgie, Bell MT, Goudy Old Style, Garamond. Popular sans serif (no tails) fonts include Arial, Tahoma, Century Gothic, and Lucida Sans.What font size is too small reading?
Never go under 8 pt. Anything smaller is realy realy hard to read. And your brochure have to grab the attantion, nobody is willing to read too small letters (or too much text). Settle for 12 pt for everage body of text, don't make lining and spacing too small.What is the maximum default size of font size?
4 Answers. font-size: 3vw; means that the font size will be 3% of the viewport width. So when the viewport width is 1200px - the font size will be 3% * 1200px = 36px. So a max-font-size of 36px can be easily implemented using a single media query to override the default 3vw font-size value.How do I reduce the text size?
To make your font size smaller or larger:- Open your device's Settings app .
- Tap Accessibility Font size.
- Use the slider to choose your font size.
What is 7 point text size?
Comparison table| Point | Metric size | American system |
|---|---|---|
| American | ||
| 6 | ≈ 2.117 mm | Nonpareil |
| 612 | ≈ 2.293 mm | Minionette |
| 7 | ≈ 2.469 mm | Minion |
What is the best font size for websites?
Although there's no official ADA-enforced minimum size font for website use, it's usually recommended that you use at least 16px font for the body text.What is a good rule for font size in resume?
Best resume font sizes are: 11-12pt for normal text, 14-16pt for section titles and headers. The most-used resume formatting order is: Contact information, work experience, skills, and education.What is the best font for online reading?
General Recommendations. For online reading, sans-serif fonts (e.g. Arial, Verdana) are generally considered more legible than serif fonts (Times New Roman), narrow fonts or decorative fonts. Decorative and narrow fonts in particular should be reserved for headlines and decorative texts only.Is 9.5 font too small?
Yes, size 9 font is too small for a resume. You should instead use a font size that's at least 10.5 points to make sure your resume is immediately readable. If you go between 10.5 and 12 font, your resume should be clear enough, regardless of your chosen font.Which font is best for small size?
Premium Small Fonts at Envato Elements (Unlimited Downloads)- HAMLIN. One of the most readable small fonts, HAMLIN is a modern sans serif typeface dedicated to simplicity.
- Fibon Sans.
- Metrisch.
- SIGNAL.
- Oliver Sans Font.
- Hurst Sans Serif Font Family Pack.
- Albori Sans-Serif.
- Catesque.
