• Body Text: Use 16-18px for desktop screens. For accessibility or older audiences, increase to 18px+.
• Headings: Maintain a clear hierarchy (e.g., H1: 36-48px, H2: 30-36px).
• Mobile Scaling: Use relative units like em or rem for responsive design across devices.
• Menus & Buttons: Stick to 14-18px for navigation and CTAs to ensure clarity.
• Accessibility: Follow WCAG guidelines – text must be resizable up to 200% without breaking layout.

Quick Font Size Guide:

By prioritizing readability and accessibility, you can create a website that’s easy to navigate and visually appealing for all users.

Please stop using px for font-size

Choosing Body Text Font Size

A 16px font size is widely regarded as the standard for balancing readability with space efficiency. It closely resembles the size of text in print, making it comfortable for most readers.

Font Size Recommendations and Audience Needs

For websites aimed at older audiences or those prioritizing accessibility, consider using a slightly larger size, like 17-18px, to improve legibility. Pair this with a line height that’s 1.5 to 2 times the font size (e.g., a 16px font would need a 24-32px line height).

Fixed vs. Relative Font Sizes

When choosing between fixed (px) and relative (em/rem) font sizes, each has its strengths. Fixed sizes ensure uniformity across devices, while relative units like em or rem allow scaling based on the user’s settings or screen size. However, relative units require careful implementation to maintain a balanced and consistent appearance.

For different scenarios, here are some general guidelines:

When designing for technical content, stick to at least 16px and ensure there’s enough spacing to keep the text clear and easy to follow.

Once you’ve set the body text size, the next step is to define font sizes for headings and other elements to establish a clear visual hierarchy.

Setting Up Font Size Order

Using font sizes effectively creates a clear visual structure, making it easier for readers to navigate your website. The goal is to maintain consistent size relationships between text elements.

Heading Size Rules

A proper heading hierarchy uses smaller sizes as you move from H1 to H6. Below is a practical size guide for SMB websites:

Make sure each heading level has a noticeable size difference to maintain clarity. After setting up your hierarchy, focus on ensuring these sizes work smoothly across different devices.

Font Size Scaling Across Devices

For consistent readability, use relative units like rem. The rem unit adjusts based on the root font size, while viewport-relative units (vw) allow font sizes to adapt fluidly between screen sizes.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Set a minimum font size of 16px for readability.
• Use vw units for fluid scaling.
• Apply a consistent scale ratio (e.g., 1.2 or 1.25) between text elements.

Here’s an example of how to implement scaling in CSS:

:root {
  font-size: 16px;
}

h1 {
  font-size: 2.25rem; /* 36px */
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  h1 {
    font-size: 2rem; /* 32px */
  }
}

"Using font sizes that are too small can exclude users with visual impairments. Following accessibility guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), can help ensure that font sizes are inclusive and readable for all users" ^[2].

To meet accessibility standards, ensure text can be resized up to 200% without breaking the layout or causing horizontal scrolling. WCAG recommends a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal-sized text and 3:1 for larger text ^[3]. Use tools like WebAIM‘s Contrast Checker to confirm your font size and color combinations meet these accessibility requirements.

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Font Sizes for Website Components

Choosing the right font sizes for different website components is essential for usability and accessibility. Below are the recommended font sizes for key elements commonly found on SMB websites.

Menu and Button Text Sizes

Navigation menus and call-to-action buttons need to be clear and easy to interact with on any device. Stick to font sizes between 14px and 18px for these elements to ensure readability and functionality across screen sizes ^[1].

Once your menus and buttons are optimized, pay attention to form elements to maintain consistency in readability.

Text Size in Web Forms

For web forms, use 14-16px for input fields and labels to keep them easy to read. Error messages and helper text should also be at least 14px for clarity. Make sure input fields use 16px to prevent iOS from zooming in when users tap on them ^[1].

Small Print and Footer Text

Even small print and footer text need to be legible. Follow these size recommendations:

For improved accessibility, aim for 14px in footer content but never go below 12px ^[1][5]. Using relative units like percentages or ems can also help ensure text scales properly without breaking the layout ^[3][4].

Checking and Improving Font Sizes

Making sure your font sizes are easy to read and accessible is key for creating a user-friendly experience. Here are some tools and strategies to help you test and fine-tune your font sizes.

Font Size Testing Tools

Testing Different Font Sizes

A/B testing is a great way to figure out how font sizes affect user engagement. By comparing different font sizes on test pages, you can track metrics like:

• Time on page: How long users stay on a page.
• Bounce rate: The percentage of users leaving without interaction.
• Scroll depth: How far users scroll down a page.
• Click-through rate: The rate of users clicking links or buttons.

These insights, gathered through website analytics, can guide decisions about which font sizes work best for your audience.

Using Reader Feedback

User feedback is another valuable tool for understanding font size preferences. For instance, older users often prefer larger text for better readability.

"Age and demographics significantly influence font size preferences. For example, older users may require larger font sizes for readability, while younger users may prefer smaller font sizes."

If your audience skews older, consider using larger body text, such as 18px or more. Also, test your font sizes on various devices to ensure readability across screen sizes. This approach helps you cater to your audience while maintaining usability.

Conclusion: Font Size Selection Steps

Choosing the right font size for your SMB website involves balancing readability, user experience, and brand alignment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you implement effective font sizing based on industry standards and expert advice.

Start with a base font size of 16-20px for body text. This size provides a solid foundation for readability and influences key metrics like bounce rates and time spent on the page.

Use relative units such as ems or rems to ensure text scales properly across different devices. When creating a font hierarchy, keep clear size distinctions between text elements:

For websites targeting older audiences, consider using larger body text (18px or more) to improve accessibility and maintain a professional look.

Utilize tools like Chrome DevTools and Lighthouse to validate font sizes and ensure accessibility. Keep an eye on performance metrics using your analytics platform. Pay attention to factors like:

• Time spent on the page
• Bounce rates
• User interaction levels
• Performance across mobile and desktop devices

Regular testing, gathering feedback, and consulting professional web designers can help you fine-tune your font size strategy for optimal results.

FAQs

What is the minimum font size for a website?

A font size of at least 16px is recommended to ensure readability for most users. While there might be exceptions – like uppercase text or certain typefaces that can work with slightly smaller sizes – it’s crucial to prioritize accessibility, especially for users with visual impairments.

What size should my website font be?

Font sizes should adjust based on the screen size to maintain readability. For body text on desktops, aim for 16-20px, with proportional scaling for tablets and mobile devices. Using relative units like ems or rems allows the text to scale naturally with different device resolutions.

Related Blog Posts

• Responsive Design Essentials for SMBs
• Font Size Guidelines for Mobile Readability
• How to Pick Fonts for Brand Identity
• How Fonts Impact Brand Perception