Web-Safe Fonts for Your Site

Choosing the right typeface for your website copy is important, since it will affect the way your readers perceive your page (serious and formal, or friendly and casual). Aside from this, there are also important usability concerns. For example, some font types are more easily readable than others, and some are more widely available.

You want to choose font types that:

  • fit the character of your site,

  • are easy to read on a computer screen, and

  • are widely available across many browsers and operating systems.

    There are basically two types of fonts: serif and sans serif. Serif fonts are those that have fine cross-lines at the extremities of the letter. Sans serif ("sans" being the French word for "without") are fonts that don't have serifs. The most common serif font is probably Times New Roman. Arial is an example of a common sans serif font.

    Let's go briefly through the most popular font types and evaluate their availability, readibility and character:

    Arial:

    • Availability.- Thoroughly available. It is probably the most common sans serif font. It is the default font for Windows, and it first shipped as a standard font with Windows 3.1.

    • Readability On Screen.- Not the worse but definetely not the best, especially at small sizes, when it becomes too narrow and the spacing between characters too small.

    • Character.- Has a streamlined, modern look but is also plain and boring.


      * For Mac users, the equivalent of Arial is Helvetica.

    Times New Roman:

    • Availability.- Thoroughly available. It is probably the most common serif font. It is the default font for web browsers. It was first shipped as a standard font with Windows 3.1

    • Readability On Screen.- Acceptable for font sizes of 12pt. and up, but terrible for smaller sizes.

    • Character.- Serious, formal and old fashioned.


      For Mac users, the equivalent of Times New Roman is Times.

    Verdana:

    • Availability.- A widely available sans serif font, Verdana was first shipped with Internet Explorer version 3, when the exponential growth of the Internet demanded a new font that was easy to read on the screen.

    • Readability On Screen.- Exceptional. It's wide body makes it the clearest font for on-screen reading, even at small sizes.

    • Character.- Modern, friendly and professional.

    Georgia:

    • Avaliability.- Good. It is a serif font introduced by Microsoft with Internet Explorer version 4, when the need for a serif font which much better readability than Times New Roman became evident.

    • Readibility On Screen.- Very good. It is the best serif font for on-line reading, since it was specifically designed for that purpose.

    • Character.- Modern, friendly and professional.

    Microsoft has also popularized two more fonts: Comic Sans Serif and Trebuchet.

    Comic Sans Serif was launched with Internet Explorer verion 3 and mimics the hand writing used in comics. It is easy to read and is informal and friendly, but it is not considered appropriate for more serious, professional sites.

    Trebuchet is another sans serif font, similar to Arial but with more character, although it can be difficult to read in small sizes.

    Finally, we can mention Courier New, a serif font that was widely popular with old, mechanical typewriters, and that is now used only to present simulated computer code (if you need to present snipets of sample HTML code in your web pages, this is the font to use.)

    Therefore, from a usability perspective, the clear winner is Verdana. If you are inclined to use a serif font, Georgia is the best option. Arial remains a good option for specific parts of text, like headlines and titles, where a different font must be used and you can use larger sizes.

    -----

    You can freely reprint this article. Just include the following resource box at the end:

    About The Author

    Mario Sanchez publishes The Internet Digest ( http://www.theinternetdigest.net ), an online collection of web design and Internet marketing articles and resources. You can freely reprint his weekly articles in your website, ezine, newsletter or ebook.

    Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
    In The News:

    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents
    Internet browsers are useful, but they can be dangerous. Clicking on malicious links can direct you to dangerous websites that steal information or infect your device.
    Apple's latest iOS update introduces advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, which may be capturing and analyzing sensitive information.
    Breach site confirmed 56,904,909 Hot Topic users' data leaked online. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says the company's silence makes matters even worse.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how an innovative Easy-Way kit turns standard strollers electric, simplifying navigation for parents.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about T-Mobile being hacked in broad cyberattack on global phone and internet companies.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how to add, customize and manage widgets for quick access to apps and info from your iPhone home screen.
    Wrong Google searches can not only compromise your device and personal data. They can also bring law enforcement to your doorstep. Hackers are targeting Google searches.
    China's Shanghai Kepler Robotics has developed a new humanoid robot that can carry up to 35 pounds per hand for commercial applications across various industries
    Checking your hearing has gotten easier with the new hearing test feature in AirPods Pro 2. You can take reliable hearing tests using your iPhone or iPad.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how a VPN — virtual private network — works and how running it can slow down the operation of your device.
    The WalkON Suit F1, an exoskeleton developed to help people with disabilities, can actually walk over to a person in a wheelchair, solving a major problem.
    ClickFix, a new scam targeting computer users, is on the rise in the U.S. The scam prompts its targets to click on a link to fix a problem.
    Skydweller is the world's largest unmanned solar-powered aircraft that can stay airborne for weeks, and even months, without refueling.
    The U.S. government said it is investigating after People's Republic of China hackers targeted commercial telecommunications service providers in the U.S.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated ways to lure unsuspecting victims, and some are impersonating an email help desk or support team.
    You can unsend or edit your iMessages with the latest iOS updates. Kurt the CyberGuy explains how you can save yourself some potential embarrassment.
    Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says there’s been a rise in cybercriminal services using hacked police and government emails to send subpoenas and data requests to U.S. companies.
    Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how Axiom Space and luxury designer Prada are collaborating on NASA's Artemis III spacesuit design.
    Voice assistants may cause confusion across devices. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers some solutions to fix it.
    Shameless scammers trick veterans into giving personal info or cash. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson explores five common scams.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you honor our heroes with these powerful podcasts, audiobooks and documentaries this Veterans Day.
  • Design With Purpose

    If your website is falling through the cracks, the chances... Read More

    The Golden Rule Of Website Building

    Copyright 2005 Robert EvansSetting yourself up to earn a steady... Read More

    How To Increase Your Conversion Rate or What Most People Miss When It Comes To Optimization

    Everybody talks about the importance of testing your sales copy... Read More

    Successful Flash Tips

    Ever browse across a website that took ten million years... Read More

    Some File Naming Tricks for Your Online Home Based Business Web Pages

    Conventional Wisdom states you should use Sub-Directories to organize your... Read More

    Choosing A Color Scheme

    When you begin the design of your Web site, one... Read More

    Simplify Your Web Site for Clarity and Ease of Use

    There are plenty of web sites out there in which... Read More

    Can Your Visitors Contact You From Your Website

    Argh, where's the contact button?! Believe it or not, some... Read More

    Differences between XP Icons and MAC Icons

    The icons in an application are the soul of the... Read More

    Custom Website Design - 3 Must Have Tools

    Creating your own website can be fun and easy, as... Read More

    Sales Versus Customer Oriented Websites

    Should Generating Revenue From A Website Be The Prime Motivator?... Read More

    Top Ten Ways to Use Audio on Your Site

    Audio can provide an added dimension to your site. It... Read More

    Looking for a Web Design Company? Use a Web Design Directory

    Your business website tells a lot about your company. A... Read More

    Sell Yourself First...Your Key To More Sales

    Selling on the internet is a challenge. There is no... Read More

    How to Avoid the Biggest Mistakes Member Sites Make in Their Marketing Copy

    If you have a web site to which people pay... Read More

    The Importance of Choosing Your Website Keywords Carefully

    The importance of choosing your website keywords carefully is very... Read More

    Cheap Website Design In Birmingham

    Due to the large number of people offering website design... Read More

    Branding Web Strategy Mistakes - Brand Identity Guru

    1. Lack of overall strategy and clear definition of success:Most... Read More

    Drupal Modules

    There are plenty of Drupal Modules that you can install... Read More

    The Next Marketing Tool: Deisgn

    Design sells. It's something that all of us know, but... Read More

    What Drives Repeat Visitors To Your Site?

    There can be zillions of reasons why your visitors return... Read More

    No More Jargon! Pamper Your Audience!

    When your company built its website, did you think about... Read More

    Positive Design Attributes for a Successful Website

    Designing a website is hard job, and requires you to... Read More

    Use Exclusive Content - When Reprint Articles Dont Do Enough

    There is no doubt that reprint articles can serve lots... Read More

    User Experience and Search Engines: If Your Home Page Could Only Talk

    Dear web site visitor.I can't tell you how glad I... Read More

    Antigo wedding limo ..