Fonts and Typography

When designing an accessible website, typography plays a crucial role in ensuring that all users, including those with disabilities, can access and read your content with ease. Here are some tips for creating accessible typography:

  1. Use a legible font: Use a font that is legible and easy to read, such as sans-serif fonts like Arial, Helvetica, Public Sans, or Open Sans. Serif fonts can be difficult for users with dyslexia or visual impairments to read, so use them sparingly.
An image illustrating the difference between serif and sans-serif fonts.
An image illustrating the difference between serif and sans-serif fonts. Source: Visual Hierarchy
  1. Ensure proper font size: Use a font size of at least 16 pixels or larger for body text to ensure it is readable. Additionally, consider using larger font sizes for users with visual impairments, such as those with low vision.
  2. Use appropriate font weight: Use a font weight that is appropriate for the size of the text. For smaller text, use a lighter weight, and for larger text, use a bolder weight. This can improve readability and legibility for users with visual impairments.
  3. Avoid using all caps: Avoid using all caps as they can be difficult to read and can also create confusion for users with dyslexia. Instead, use sentence case or title case to improve readability.
  4. Use proper line spacing: Use proper line spacing to improve readability and legibility. Line spacing should be at least 1.5 times the font size to ensure that the text is not cramped and is easy to read.
  5. Ensure proper formatting: Use proper formatting, such as headings and subheadings, to make your content easier to navigate for users with screen readers. Additionally, ensure that your content is organized and easy to scan.
  6. Highlight your links: Ensure that all links are both bolded and underlined.