Designing for Readability
Typography, spacing, and the art of making text easy on the eyes — a deep dive into readable web design.
Good typography is invisible. When done right, readers don’t notice the font — they absorb the content effortlessly. Here’s how to achieve that.
Font selection
The right font sets the tone. For body text, Inter provides excellent readability at small sizes. For headings, a serif font like Georgia adds warmth and character.
The best typography is the one that goes unnoticed. — Anonymous
Line length matters
Research suggests that the optimal line length for readability is between 50-75 characters. Too long, and the reader loses their place. Too short, and reading becomes choppy.
Hierarchy with headings
Use headings to create a clear visual hierarchy:
- H1 — One per page, your main title
- H2 — Major sections
- H3 — Subsections within H2
White space is your friend
Don’t be afraid of empty space. Generous margins and padding give content room to breathe and make reading more pleasant.
Dark backgrounds with sufficient contrast — like the one you’re reading now — reduce eye strain during long reading sessions.