Small Fonts

Super Mod · 02-08-06, 01:41 AM

One of my pet peeves for web design is when people use fonts that are too small for my eyes. I have really bad eyes -- I do wear contacts -- and it's rather hard for me to see some really small fonts after a day at the computer monitor. There should be a law that doesn't allow fonts under 9 or 10 pixels.

stef686 · 02-08-06, 05:19 AM

The designers argument to this is probably limited screen space - if you're designing to a minimum of 800x600 there is a limited amount of space for the content.

It is a serious issue though, so many designers do not size the text in a way that it can be enlarged by the browser (pt sizes for example).

**Avix** · 02-08-06, 05:30 AM

I find it just as anoying when people use huge font sizes as I do really small fonts. I like sites that have +/- buttons for font size, I have even seen ones that allow you to reverse the colours too.

Like if you go to http://demo.rockettheme.com/ then select the 'July 05 - GlobalBiz' template. in the top right it has font size and reverse colour functions, pretty cool.

**Max** · 02-08-06, 03:00 PM

You could always use some sort of script to allow the user to increase or decrease the font size. I understand the frustration though, my eyes aren't that great.

freeosin · 02-13-06, 08:53 AM

I design websites, and recommend small fonts like (8-10) or 12 at the most because it just looks cleaner. My bands website uses really small fonts, www.sixtysecondtrack.com tell me what you think of that view.

02-13-06, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeosin

I design websites, and recommend small fonts like (8-10) or 12 at the most because it just looks cleaner. My bands website uses really small fonts, www.sixtysecondtrack.com tell me what you think of that view.

But then those of us with big screens are forced to squint. Thankfully, at least with your site, I can use the browser's text size option to make it bigger.

Percia · 02-13-06, 08:30 PM

the smallest I go is 10 pixels anything under that I use for copyrighting or things that really dont matter. or subtext...There is an unwritten rule in the design world about that i think personally...i try to keep it at 10 and above.

James · 02-13-06, 10:11 PM

I use small fonts in many cases actually. The concision I get from putting alot of information into a small space outweighs the detriments. And I just grab my scroll wheel and zoom in when I can't see something.

Smith · 02-17-06, 11:32 AM

I agree with James that there are good times to use small fonts and there are bad times. I would prefer it if the main content font is large, though, because it's just easier to read. I think you're seeing a lot more people doing this than ever before.

st@rsky · 02-17-06, 01:55 PM

Does W3C not have any guide lines to font sizes? Surely they would for accessibility reasons..