Building for Readability

Readability is the hallmark of thoughtful design. Whether you're building a blog, documentation site, or marketing page, making content easy to read should be your primary goal.

Line Length Matters

The optimal line length for digital reading is between 50-75 characters. Longer lines force readers' eyes to travel too far across the screen, making it harder to return to the correct line when reading the next one.

White Space is Your Friend

Cramped layouts feel overwhelming and are harder to read. Generous padding, margins, and line-height create a sense of calm and make text more inviting.

Font Size and Weight

Body text should generally be 16px or larger on desktop, with proportionally sized text on mobile. Use font weights strategically—bold text draws attention but overuse diminishes its impact.

Color Considerations

Dark text on light backgrounds remains the most readable combination for long-form content. If using a dark theme, ensure the contrast is equally strong.

Testing Your Design

Always test your typography with real content and real readers. What looks good in mockups might feel different when populated with actual text.