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Fonts

The rules for online text are different from the conventions used to create documents for print. This issue will discuss the fonts to be used on the Web. Eng. María José Serres, ARTech Marketing team.

The following should be taken into account when choosing the font to be used on a Web application:

1- The font type must be installed on the target computers.

2- The font size must suit the target audience and the most used resolution.

3- Choose a font style (serif or sans serif) and do not mix them.

The fonts usually installed on any computer are Arial, Verdana and Times New Roman.

The most used font styles are Serif and Sans-Serif. Sans-Serifs are plain and simple fonts without embellishing lines added to the basic form of a character.

Serif fonts Sans Serif fonts

There are studies that compare the legibility of fonts on screens and recommend Sans-Serif fonts (http://www.humanfactors.com/downloads/feb02.asp) because of each letter's height and width, spacing between letters and the plain and simple style.


Legibility  (1="None" and 6="Total")


Reading Time in secs (2 text pages)


 Percentage chosen as first or second preference choice

(You may see the complete study at http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/3S/font.htm)

Mixing styles is not recommended, as it makes reading slower. (Source: Boyarski, D., Neuwirth, C., Forlizzi, J., and Regli, S.H. (1998). A study of fonts designed for screen display, CHI 98 Conference Proceedings, 87-94.)

The font size should fit the target audience. If the application or Web site will be used mainly by adults over 60, the recommended size is 12 point or larger (size 3 in HTML). The size found in most applications or Web sites is 10 point (size 2 in HTML). Lists, menus or isolated texts use 8-point fonts (this size is not recommended for text blocks).

The font size also depends on the screen resolution most commonly used by the target audience. A given font size can be read easily in an 800x600 resolution, while it can be too small in 1024x768. A 10-point font is appropriate for both resolutions.

When using the Themes Editor of GeneXus 8.0, you should take into account that if a 10-point font is chosen, the editor interprets 9.75pt. There is no need for correction since this size is also acceptable, and the difference is barely noticeable.

If you want a certain size in the editor, you should enter the value in the font field (e.g.: Verdana, 10pt)

In conclusion, this is what I recommend using:

- Font: Verdana for text and titles, bold font for titles.

-Size: 10-point font (or similar)

Related
Contents of the Menu Options
Typography
Text Alignment
Usability: Colors, Contrast and Underlining