But display fonts are generally intended more for looks and style and less for readability. They’re intended to be used for short amounts of text, like headlines, advertisements, or within branded images.
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You wouldn’t use a display font for a full page of text, and probably not even for a paragraph of text. Of all of the categories covered in this article, this is the biggest, broadest category because so many different fonts can fit within the definition.ĭisplay fonts are not intended for large amounts of text. Displayĭisplay fonts, or decorative fonts as they are sometimes called, don’t necessarily have a common theme or style. Slab serif fonts are appropriate for headlines, logos, and areas with large text. In general, slab serif fonts are not the best choice for body text as they’re a bit harder to read as compared to serif or sans serif fonts.Īs far as style and mood are concerned, slab serifs are more rugged and less elegant the serif fonts. Slab serif fonts are also popular, but they’re not quite as versatile as serif fonts. Also, the feet are often larger than what you’ll normally find with serif fonts. The distinction between serif and slab serif fonts is that the feet or dashes on slab serif fonts are blocky. Slab serif fonts could be considered a sub-category of serif fonts, but we’re breaking them out into their own classification because there is an important distinction, and because they are extremely popular.
If you’re looking to create something more modern and less classic, go with a sans serif. Serif fonts and sans serif fonts can be used in many of the same situations, so the choice between the two comes down to the style of the design or the mood that you want to create. Sans serif fonts are highly versatile, but the most common uses include body copy for screens (including websites and apps), headlines, and logos.
Sans serif fonts are also very effective for headlines, especially in a heavy weight like a bold or black font. When you’re designing for the web or anything that will be read on-screen, sans serif is the common choice for body copy or large portions of text.
They look good in large sizes and are also readable in smaller sizes, partly because of the lack of serifs (dashes). Like serifs, sans serif fonts are very versatile and can be used for just about any purpose. While serif fonts have a long history, It was within the last 100 years that sans serif fons gained popularity. While serif fonts present more of a classic and elegant feel, sans serif fonts are more modern and clean. Sans serif fonts do not have the small dashes or feet at the tops and bottoms of letters. Serif fonts are also appropriate for headlines and logos. Serif fonts can be used for a wide variety of purposes, but they are especially useful for body text in printed materials. If you’re not a type nerd, you probably won’t care about the differences. This is true whether we’re talking about small amounts of text or a full page of text.Īlthough we’re lumping serif fonts together in one category, there are actually several different types or classifications of serif fonts. One of the main reasons why serif fonts are incredibly common is because they are generally easy to read. Serif fonts are especially popular for body text in printed materials but can also be used for titles, logos, online, and just about any other type of text. The use of serif fonts is extremely common for many different purposes.
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See our list of the best free serif fonts. The distinguishing characteristic of serif fonts is the dashes or feet at the tops and bottoms of the letterforms. Serif fonts are classic, elegant, and highly versatile. UNLIMITED DOWNLOADS: 50 Million+ Fonts & Design Assets This article will cover the main font types, how they differ from each other, and the best uses. With some basic knowledge in this area, you’ll be able to create much more effective designs that get the intended results. Likewise, the impression and mood that the design creates with viewers will vary with different fonts.īecause typography is such an important part of design, it’s critical to understand the various font types and when you should use them. The look and feel of the design will change significantly with different fonts. Regardless of whether you’re designing a logo, a brochure, a business card, product packaging, a website, or anything else, typography will have a huge impact on the end result. For more details, please refer to our Disclosure page.įont choice is an important part of web and graphic design. Vandelay Design may receive compensation from companies, products, and services covered on our site.