Viewing Minimum Font Size

Minimum Font Size



User: Roddy 10 years ago
From the topics showcasing users websites it seems that quite a few people seem to be confused about minimum font size and assume that using 12px in some situations is OK.

In terms of readability and accessibility, the minimum is 14px for traditional websites and 15px for mobile ones.

A lot of people don't seem to realise that minimum font size is user adjustable in the browser settings and the web designer has no control over this.

Browsers have the means to set the default font and the minimum font size. OK, it is usually hidden in the "Advanced" settings but not so difficult to find.

There may be zillions of sites that ignore the issue of readability due to the designer's ignorance or total lack of concern but that doesn't excuse it.

Readability depends on quite a few aspects but it must be obvious that font size is quite important. It may not be so obvious why you should avoid altering letter spacing and never use justified text.

A few guidelines…

http://everwebcodebox.com/content/text-content.html

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Roddy

Website: http://everwebwidgets.com
Contact: http://everwebwidgets.com/ewWidgets-home/contact.html
NOTE: I am an EverWeb user and NOT affiliated with EverWeb! Any opinions expressed in this forum are my own.
User: Christopher 10 years ago
I'm curious what others have to say about this. I'm not challenging you, you know way more about web design then I could ever hope for! But in Safari, one would have to go to Advanced/Accessibility, then enter 14 into a panel that defaults at 9…

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rMBP 15", 2.6 Ghz, 16 GB RAM, OS X 10.11.6, with 27" Thunderbolt Cinema Display

www.cleetche.com

FontSize.png
How many people do this?
User: Christopher 10 years ago
In Chrome, I didn't find the settings at all the first time I looked. I had to read your post again, saying they're sometimes hidden in Advanced, then I recognized an Advanced link way at the bottom. It defaults at Medium, and gives options that are not that specific. See attachment.

How many people using EverWeb use minimum 14px fonts? Is it really worth changing my entire site from 12 to 14?

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rMBP 15", 2.6 Ghz, 16 GB RAM, OS X 10.11.6, with 27" Thunderbolt Cinema Display

www.cleetche.com

Chrome-font sizes.png
And now in Chrome
User: Roddy 10 years ago
If the text box content of your entire site is 12px it would be worth changing it. Why should visitors have to zoom?

I don't often stay on sites where readability is compromised. Large chunks of small text are not fun to negotiate.

Do you want people to enjoy your website or leave disgruntled with eye and brain strain?

Have you asked many people if your site is easy to read and understand?

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Roddy

Website: http://everwebwidgets.com
Contact: http://everwebwidgets.com/ewWidgets-home/contact.html
NOTE: I am an EverWeb user and NOT affiliated with EverWeb! Any opinions expressed in this forum are my own.
User: Roddy 10 years ago
OK, it seems that I'm wrong again. This article in Smashing Magazine recommends 16px.

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Roddy

Website: http://everwebwidgets.com
Contact: http://everwebwidgets.com/ewWidgets-home/contact.html
NOTE: I am an EverWeb user and NOT affiliated with EverWeb! Any opinions expressed in this forum are my own.


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