Notes on typography

Some scattered notes from a few years of setting type on the web.

Line-height is underrated

Most sites set line-height too tight. 1.5 is a reasonable floor for body text; 1.6 often reads better. Tight line-height is a visual choice that costs you readability — make sure the trade is worth it.

Measure matters

A comfortable measure is around 60–75 characters per line. Any wider and the eye loses its place on return. Any narrower and the text feels choppy.

One font is usually enough

If you pick a good sans, you rarely need a second family. Use weight and size for hierarchy before reaching for another typeface.