What are the best fonts and font sizes for web content?

2 Font families

Font families are groups of fonts that share a common design and style. For example, Arial, Helvetica, and Verdana are all sans serif fonts that belong to the same font family. Font families usually include different variations of the same font, such as regular, bold, italic, or light. For web content, it is recommended to use no more than two or three font families per page, to avoid visual clutter and confusion. You can use different variations of the same font family to create emphasis, differentiation, or alignment. For example, you can use bold for headings, italic for quotes, or light for captions.

3 Font sizes

Font sizes are measured in pixels (px), points (pt), ems (em), or rems (rem). Pixels and points are absolute units that specify the exact size of the font, while ems and rems are relative units that depend on the size of the parent element or the root element. For web content, it is advisable to use relative units, as they allow the font size to adjust to the screen size and the user's preferences. The ideal font size for web content depends on several factors, such as the font type, the line length, the line height, the contrast, and the target audience. However, a general rule of thumb is to use at least 16px or 1em for body text, and to increase or decrease the font size by 25% for each level of heading or subheading.

4 Font combinations

Font combinations are pairs or groups of fonts that work well together and create a harmonious and coherent look. Font combinations can be based on similarity or contrast. Similar fonts share some characteristics, such as the type, the style, or the mood. Contrast fonts have different characteristics, such as the weight, the shape, or the tone. For web content, you can use either similarity or contrast to create font combinations, depending on your purpose and your brand identity. For example, you can use similar fonts to create consistency and familiarity, or contrast fonts to create diversity and interest.

5 Font accessibility

Font accessibility is the degree to which your fonts are readable and understandable by all users, regardless of their abilities, disabilities, or preferences. Factors such as the font type, size, color, background color, spacing, and alignment can influence font accessibility. To make your fonts as accessible as possible for web content, aim to use clear and simple fonts that are easy to recognize and distinguish; ensure they are not too small or too large; use high contrast colors that are not too bright or too dark; use adequate font spacing that is not too tight or too loose; and employ appropriate font alignment that is not too centered or too justified.