Typography Basics for Non-Designers

Type Is 90% of the Web

Most of a website is text, so type quietly decides how professional and readable it feels. A few simple rules cover most situations.

The Reliable Rules

• **Limit yourself to two typefaces** — one for headings, one for body
• **Body text should be at least 16px** so it's comfortable on phones
• **Use generous line height** — around 1.5 to 1.7 for paragraphs
• **Keep line length readable** — roughly 60 to 80 characters
• **Establish a clear hierarchy** — headings, subheadings, and body should look obviously different

Contrast and Spacing

Dark text on a light background (or the reverse) with enough breathing room beats fancy fonts every time. White space is part of the design, not wasted space.

When in Doubt, Simplify

A single clean sans-serif used well looks more professional than a clever mix used poorly. Restraint reads as confidence.