Typography in product design
When we talk about typography in UI design, it’s not just about picking a font that looks nice, right? Typography is far more important than it seems — it’s one of the core elements that helps a design communicate effectively, look appealing, and most importantly, work for the user. It’s about how text fits into the overall design so that it’s easy to read, guides attention, and conveys the product’s personality.
Typography directly impacts how people understand and perceive what they see. Choosing the right fonts, adjusting them for different devices, and ensuring readability can make a big difference. Otherwise, something as simple as poor contrast or tiny font size can frustrate users and make them leave your platform.
On the flip side, well-thought-out typography builds trust and helps information flow. It becomes a crucial bridge between visual design and what the user really needs.
Basic principles of typography in UI: readability, hierarchy, and consistency
Sans-serif fonts are the go-to for digital design. Why? Because they’re legible, simple, and adapt well to various sizes and resolutions. Fonts like Roboto or San Francisco are tried-and-true choices that look great on everything from smartphones to large screens.
These fonts also integrate seamlessly with operating systems like Android and iOS, and their versatile style fits different types of products.
That said, even though sans-serifs are usually the first choice, in certain contexts — like editorial apps or luxury brands — modern serif fonts can bring a touch of elegance and unique personality to the design. It all depends on what you want to convey.
Readability
Readability ensures that text is easy to read on any device or in any context.
- Choose clear, functional fonts that hold up even at small sizes.
- Maintain strong contrast between text and background, so users don’t have to strain their eyes — whether it’s dark mode or bright sunlight.
- Avoid overly decorative fonts in long texts — they may look pretty, but they hurt the user experience.
Hierarchy
Hierarchy organizes information so that users can quickly identify what’s important and follow a logical flow. This is where text styles like H1, H2, H3, etc., come in. Each has a specific role:
- H1: The main title of a page. It should be large, clear, and grab the user’s attention immediately.
- H2: Used as a section heading. It helps divide content into logical, easily scannable blocks.
- H3: Great for subsections within a block of content, adding structure without competing with higher headings.
- Body text: Meant for reading in longer paragraphs, it should be comfortable to read with appropriate size and line height.
- Link text: Usually styled with highlighted colors, underlines, or italics. It must be distinct from regular text to signal interactivity.
Consistency
Consistency ensures that typography styles are uniform throughout the interface, reinforcing visual identity and avoiding user confusion.
The ideal setup includes a clearly defined style system for headings, body text, links, and other content types. For example, always using the same size and weight for H2 elements across your app or site makes them instantly recognizable, so users don’t need to “relearn” how to navigate. This simplifies both design and user experience.
Tips for balanced typography design
As mentioned, when typography is well-managed, it improves readability, guides user attention, and brings visual balance that enhances navigation. To achieve this, pay close attention to line height, paragraph width, and text size. Here are some best practices:
Line height
Line height is key for legibility — it ensures text isn’t too cramped or too spaced out.
For body text, a good rule is to set line height between 1.3 and 1.6 times the font size. For example, if the font size is 16px, line height should be 21px to 26px.
Always round to the nearest whole number to avoid inconsistencies. This ensures the eyes can follow the text naturally and comfortably.
Line width
Line width refers to how many characters fit on each line.
For optimal reading, aim for 45 to 75 characters per line, including spaces.
- If lines are too narrow, the text becomes fragmented, slowing down reading as users constantly jump to new lines.
- If lines are too wide, the eyes have to travel too far, making reading harder to follow and comprehend.
Font sizes and visual balance
Font size plays a crucial role in maintaining visual harmony. Choose sizes based on context and function:
- Body text: 14px to 18px, depending on the device. This range is comfortable for reading long paragraphs.
- Headings: Follow a clear hierarchy.
- H1: 24px–32px
- H2: 20px–24px
- H3: 16px–20px
- Buttons and links: Minimum of 16px to ensure they’re easy to read and click.
Balancing spacing, size, and width
The key to balance is in how these elements interact. For instance, with a 16px base font, a good line height is 24px, and paragraph width should not exceed 600px to maintain a smooth reading flow.
Using a uniform spacing grid — like a system based on 8px increments — ensures alignment and consistency, greatly enhancing the visual experience.
So next time you’re working on a project, remember not to underestimate the impact of typography on how users perceive and navigate your interface. It’s not just about aesthetics — it’s about function, clarity, and trust.
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