When creating content for your audience, it’s important to make your information easy and comfortable to read. The size of your text has a lot to do with that. So here’s some guidelines for selecting font sizes.
Create a Hierarchy
Whether you’re designing for print of web, there should be a hierarchy of text to help the reader understand the organization of your information. Generally the hierarchy from biggest to smallest goes something like this: Headline, Subhead (if necessary), Body Copy, Secondary Text.
As Few Sizes as Possible
Too many font sizes can cause confusion and disorganization in your layout. You want to have as little variation of sizes as possible. That’s why a hierarchy of a few sizes is a good idea for layout design.
Sizes for Web
They Body copy (or paragraph copy) for a website is usually best at 16px. This is the minimum recommended font size for paragraphs. For large amounts of copy or long paragraphs, it can be a good idea to go slightly larger. A font size of 18px will make reading a lengthy article easier on your reader’s eyes.
Sizes for Print
When creating layouts for print, you want your body copy to be in the 10-12pt range for best readability. Keeping your target audience in mind will help you make a decision on your standard size for large paragraphs. Older audiences usually will prefer a larger font size.
Secondary Text
The smallest text in your layout is reserved for less important information or things like captions for images. A general rule of thumb is to make this text two sizes smaller than your body copy. This should not be lengthy paragraphs, but small pieces of information that are not crucial to understanding the content.
Hopefully this helps you get a better idea of how to organize your information using font sizes. If you’re creating content, 2nd Story would love to help you look your best on the web or in print! Contact us to set up a consultation and let’s work together!