Text settings that work for everyone
Limiting the use of specific settings can actually make text much easier to read

Have you ever visited a web site where:

• you found yourself squinting as you read the text,
• you had to click your browser's "larger" button a few times because the text was so small, or
• the text was so difficult to read you gave up reading it?

These are all problems that can be attributed to improper text settings.

The use of specific text settings on a web site can be a debated issue... On one hand, using specific fonts or sizes can improve the look of a web site. On the other, doing so can limit how well text displays on different computers. At worst, visitors won't be able to read the text, because it's much too small, for example.

In addition, some people set their web browser font preferences to display fonts that are easier for them to read on their computer. Designing web pages that use specific text settings can override those preferences, resulting in a frustrating web site experience.

Limiting the use of specific text settings and being mindful of their consequences can provide a much more satisfying online experience for your web site visitors.

Tips:

• Rather than assigning text a specific font (e.g., Arial, Verdana, Times), assign a generic font family (e.g., serif, sans-serif). From a usability standpoint, this is a great solution because it honors the web browser font preferences. For example, text assigned the sans-serif family will display in the sans-serif font specified in the user's browser preferences.
   
• Avoid setting specific text sizes, especially smaller sizes for main bodies of text. These settings can override the browser preferences your web site visitor may have set. Consider limiting text size settings for footnotes, headings or other small pieces of text.
   
• Be aware that web site text displays on Macintosh computers about one size smaller than on Windows computers. For text that looks small on a Windows computer, it will appear tiny on a Macintosh.
   
• Test, test, test. View your web site on a variety of computers and browsers. The goal is to have your web site text be very easy to read so your web site visitors will breathe a sigh of relief and thank you for your consideration of their precious eyes.

Need help making your web site text more readable? Consider our web site maintenance service.