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Re: font preference

for

From: Mark Newhouse
Date: May 14, 2002 1:04PM

on 5/14/02 12:09 PM, Glenda Watson Hyatt at <EMAIL REMOVED> wrote:

> Has there been any research done into which font type is more readable on
> the screen -- serif or sans serif? Of course, css should be used to set the
> font type so that users can override ut. However, it would be nice to have
> css use the "most prefered" option. Personally, I have always used Arial or
> Helvetica. Simply wondering if there is any research suggesting the
> contrary. Thanks.

This one was published in March, 2001. It examined readability and font
preferences for older people (ages 62-83).

http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/3W/fontSR.htm

Conclusions are quoted below...

CONCLUSIONS

Several observations can be made from these findings. First, 14-point fonts
were found to be more legible, promote faster reading, and were preferred to
the 12-point fonts. Second, at the 14-point size, serif fonts tended to
support faster reading. Serif fonts, however, were generally preferred less
than the sans serif fonts. Third, there was essentially no difference
between the computer fonts and the print fonts. Thus, in light of these
results, it is recommended to use 14-point sized fonts for presenting online
text to older readers. However, a compromise must be made in deciding which
font type to use. If speed of reading is paramount, then serif fonts are
recommended. However, if font preference is important, then sans serif fonts
are recommended.

HTH,

--Mark Newhouse
We put the "blah" in blog...
<http://homepage.mac.com/iblog/>;


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