Web-Safe Fonts for Your Site

There are basically two types of fonts: serif and sans serif. Serif fonts are those that have fine cross-lines at the extremities of the letter. Sans serif ("sans" being the French word for "without") are fonts that don't have serifs. The most common serif font is probably Times New Roman. Arial is an example of a common sans serif font.

Let's go briefly through the most popular font types and evaluate their availability, readibility and character:

Arial:

• Availability.- Thoroughly available. It is probably the most common sans serif font. It is the default font for Windows, and it first shipped as a standard font with Windows 3.1.

• Readability On Screen.- Not the worse but definetely not the best, especially at small sizes, when it becomes too narrow and the spacing between characters too small.

• Character.- Has a streamlined, modern look but is also plain and boring.

  
  * For Mac users, the equivalent of Arial is Helvetica.

Times New Roman:

• Availability.- Thoroughly available. It is probably the most common serif font. It is the default font for web browsers. It was first shipped as a standard font with Windows 3.1

• Readability On Screen.- Acceptable for font sizes of 12pt. and up, but terrible for smaller sizes.

• Character.- Serious, formal and old fashioned.

  
  For Mac users, the equivalent of Times New Roman is Times.

Verdana:

• Availability.- A widely available sans serif font, Verdana was first shipped with Internet Explorer version 3, when the exponential growth of the Internet demanded a new font that was easy to read on the screen.

• Readability On Screen.- Exceptional. It's wide body makes it the clearest font for on-screen reading, even at small sizes.

• Character.- Modern, friendly and professional.

Georgia:

• Avaliability.- Good. It is a serif font introduced by Microsoft with Internet Explorer version 4, when the need for a serif font which much better readability than Times New Roman became evident.

• Readibility On Screen.- Very good. It is the best serif font for on-line reading, since it was specifically designed for that purpose.

• Character.- Modern, friendly and professional.

Microsoft has also popularized two more fonts: Comic Sans Serif and Trebuchet.

Comic Sans Serif was launched with Internet Explorer verion 3 and mimics the hand writing used in comics. It is easy to read and is informal and friendly, but it is not considered appropriate for more serious, professional sites.

Trebuchet is another sans serif font, similar to Arial but with more character, although it can be difficult to read in small sizes.

Finally, we can mention Courier New, a serif font that was widely popular with old, mechanical typewriters, and that is now used only to present simulated computer code (if you need to present snipets of sample HTML code in your web pages, this is the font to use.)

Therefore, from a usability perspective, the clear winner is Verdana. If you are inclined to use a serif font, Georgia is the best option. Arial remains a good option for specific parts of text, like headlines and titles, where a different font must be used and you can use larger sizes.

-----

You can freely reprint this article. Just include the following resource box at the end:

About The Author

Mario Sanchez publishes The Internet Digest ( http://www.theinternetdigest.net ), an online collection of web design and Internet marketing articles and resources. You can freely reprint his weekly articles in your website, ezine, newsletter or ebook.

Make Life Meaningful Monday: Goal Setting Crookston Daily Times (blog) I think I've taken goal setting to the level of art-form. I make spiritual growth goals, homemaking goals, parenting goals, exercise goals…you name it! And I don't just set giant goals, like vacationing in Europe next year or running a marathon.

The Bay City Times - MLive.com

Public welcome at Bay City goal-setting session Saturday morning The Bay City Times - MLive.com 9 goal-setting session, the Bay City Commission agreed to create a list of what residents want to see. That exercise turned into a list of 34 items that attendees at Monday night's Town Hall meeting were asked to help prioritize. Trenton Robinson complaint investigation complete, Bay City police chief saysMLive.com all 4 news articles »

Petoskey News-Review

Boyne City goal-setting still under way Petoskey News-Review 12 city goal-setting session at St. Matthew parish hall in Boyne City. Last time around, the vast majority of participants in the exercise shared their two cents without attending the public meeting, either. "It's a more comprehensive review of things ...

New Goal-Setting Toolkit Available from Innovation Strategist Lea Strickland NCTechNews (press release) (Cary, NC) A new goal-setting toolkit for personal and professional success is now available at no charge from international strategic business consultant and noted expert on how to start and manage a profitable business, Lea Strickland, ...

Lexington Herald Leader

Job search: Be willing to reinvent yourself to achieve your goals Lexington Herald Leader By Lenroy Jones — Contributing Columnist What: Join career columnists Lenroy Jones and Theresa Mickelwait and Shalyce Jackson of Just Ask! Consulting Services & Associates to learn about "Goal Setting: Fresh Start on Your Career Search.

Petoskey News-Review

Petoskey goals, actions updated Petoskey News-Review Petoskey's focus on the year ahead took center stage at a weekend goal-setting retreat. Elected city leaders and key staff members gathered Saturday at city hall to discuss the city's goals and update its action plan, part of the city's annual planning ...

New York Post

Giants win NFC Championship on OT field goal, setting up Super Bowl rematch vs ... New York Post By PAUL SCHWARTZ SAN FRANCISCO — On the road. In the NFC Championship. In overtime. The Patriots, already in, awaiting the winner. Harsh weather affecting every move. A draining, physical battle. A field goal to win it. “Everything that happened is ... and more »

Council Holds Goal Setting Session KIMT MASON CITY, IA- We told you last week about the Curbside Chat. That's when a representative from a Minnesota non-profit group stopped by Mason City. Their goal was to share ideas when it comes to running a town, and even changing perspectives if ... Council sets goals for yearMason City Globe Gazette all 2 news articles »

Achieving goals requires thought and action insideTORONTO.com When starting your own business, or to keep your existing business current and profitable, planning and goal-setting are the keys to success. If you don't have attainable and concrete goals and a plan to make them happen, just like in life, ...

The Arizona Trail should rank as one of the great American achievements Examiner.com This year, while it is celebrating its Centennial, Arizona can celebrate an amazing accomplishment, which may not garner much international attention, but is also testament to American initiative, goal-setting, persistence and work ethic.