WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

RE: Font Resizers (WAS RE: back to top)

for

From: Austin, Darrel
Date: Jan 11, 2006 9:00AM

> And that is why browsers have the option to resize fonts, and
> without any limitations.

> 1em, and leave it up to the user's particular OS/browser settings.

Patrick/Christian:

Your arguments all make sense and are 100% true but only with one major
*if*: the end user has to be both aware AND willing to set up their
browser to their own preferenecs.

As much as I'd like to think that's the case, more often than not, my
observation shows that very, very few folks are aware of it, or even
care. This includes my dad, my mom, my wife, and all my co-workers, who
are mostly programmers or IT analysts. Yes, a small sampling. So if
anyone has done any larger observations, please let me know. ;o)

The issue with font sizing on the web has a LOT of gotchas:

- browser default sizes are arbitrary, and for some folks, actually too
big.
- not every site set's the font size to 100% so there is inconsistency
there.
- screen resolution AND dimensions completely change the size of the
type.
- using a lapto vs. your desktop can change the perceived size of the
type.
- some folks take the time to set up their favorite font size
- many folks do not take the time to set up their favorite font size
- some OSes have font size/rendering preferences as well
- etc

There is no *right* answer. In fact pretty much all the comments in this
thread are fine answers.

For our new site, this is our answer:

- implement a font resizer. Default to .8em. Allow folks to adjust
up/down from that.
- allow people to turn off the font resizer completely and have the
site obey the browser's 100% preference setting.

Is it the right answer? No. Just one of many. ;o)

-Darrel