When it comes to choosing typefaces and fonts in graphic design, it’s important to make sure they are both legible and readable. But what’s the difference?
Legibility is a measure of how easy it is to distinguish one letter or character from another in a particular typeface, i.e. it is a function of typeface design. The degree of legibility therefore depends on the style of the typeface being used.
Readability on the other hand, is a measure of how easily words, phrases and blocks of text can be read, i.e. it’s a function of typography. The degree of readability therefore depends on how blocks of text are arranged across a page, as well as what typefaces are being used.
If you can clearly define individual letters and characters in a particular typeface, then it is legible. If you can easily read a block or page of text, it is readable.
Text in most script typefaces is not legible when capitalized or at small sizes. For example, the H, I and J of some script typefaces are very hard to distinguish from one another when they appear next to each other as capital letters, even at large font sizes, making them illegible. On the other hand, a decorative typeface is more legible when capitalized. This is why decorative typefaces often do not include lowercase letters in their font packages. Most serif or sans serif fonts are legible even at small font sizes and when capitalized.
If you use a script or decorative typeface in a large block or page of text then it becomes unreadable, especially at small sizes. Serif or sans serif fonts are more readable at smaller sizes not only because each letter is easy to distinguish (legible), but also because there is adequate spacing between each letter.
As well, when arranging blocks of text, in addition to font size and letter spacing, there are other design functions to consider, such as line spacing, paragraph spacing, page or column width, contrast and hierarchy.
Large blocks of text, even in highly legible typefaces, become harder to read at very small sizes, causing the reader to have eye-strain if they cannot zoom in (Click on the image to see what I mean). It is therefore important to ensure there is enough white space between lines of text and paragraphs. Another consideration of readability is the page or column width. If a reader’s eyes have to move too far to the left and right to read, the text becomes harder to read.
It is also important to ensure there is enough contrast between the text and the background, particularly at small font sizes. A thin font, in particular, becomes unreadable if there is not enough contrast.
Hierarchy is another factor in readability. Using a standardized or consistent hierarchy of headlines, sub-headings and paragraphs, in different font sizes and weights, breaks large chunks of text up and makes them easier to read.
So if you don’t want your readers to get eye-strain, ensure your text is both legible and readable!
