The Vue Playbook

Appearance

Typography: A Step-by-Step Summary ​

Typography is more than aesthetics—it directly affects readability, comprehension, and accessibility. Well-implemented typography ensures that users with visual impairments, cognitive disabilities, or low vision can comfortably read and understand your content. Below are essential steps and best practices for accessible typography.

Why Typography Accessibility Matters ​

  • Legibility affects comprehension: Hard-to-read fonts or poor spacing can slow reading and cause fatigue.
  • Scalable text ensures usability: Users should resize text without breaking the layout.
  • Contrast and hierarchy provide clarity: Clear distinctions help users navigate content quickly, especially those with visual or cognitive challenges.

Accessible typography isn't just good design—it’s a legal and ethical requirement under WCAG.

Core Principles for Accessible Typography ​

1. Choose Legible Fonts ​

  • Use clean, sans-serif fonts like Arial, Helvetica, or system defaults for body text.
  • Avoid overly decorative or thin fonts that reduce readability.
  • Ensure clear distinction between similar characters (I, l, 1).
  • Limit your page to two or three fonts for consistency.

2. Use Scalable Font Sizes ​

  • Use relative units (rem or em), not fixed px.
  • Set a base font size of 100% (16px) on <html> or <body>.
  • Define headings relative to the base for consistent scaling.
  • Preserve semantic heading structure for screen readers.

3. Maintain Adequate Spacing ​

  • Set line-height to at least 1.5 for body text.
  • Use extra spacing for long paragraphs to avoid a cramped feel.
  • Ensure paragraph spacing and margins aid readability.

4. Optimize Letter & Word Spacing ​

  • Slightly increase letter-spacing for headings for clarity.
  • For all-caps text, use 0.05em–0.1em letter-spacing.
  • Maintain sufficient word-spacing for cognitive accessibility.

5. Allow Text Resizing Without Layout Issues ​

  • Do not use fixed heights or containers that clip text.
  • Test with 200% zoom—no content loss or overlap should occur.
  • Design responsively so enlarged text does not cause horizontal scrolling.

6. Ensure Sufficient Contrast ​

  • Meet WCAG AA:
    • Normal text: 4.5:1
    • Large text: 3:1
  • Never use color alone for meaning—combine with icons or text.

7. Test with Real Users & Assistive Tech ​

  • Use screen readers to check reading order and scaling.
  • Test at 400% zoom and with custom text spacing overrides.
  • Validate using tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker.

Resources for Further Learning ​

By applying these principles, your typography will be not only visually appealing but also inclusive—ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can read and interact with your content comfortably.