It’s more than picking a pretty font

Text is the most important element on a webpage, providing information and guiding users to action, but if it's not legible, users can't read or consume the content. Legibility and branding are critical, but many websites prioritize aesthetics over accessibility, assuming all users can read bold and unique fonts. However, accessible typography benefits not only people with vision impairments but also older adults, people with cognitive disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and others. Accessible typography boosts user attention, word recognition, and information processing for all users. To make typography accessible, ensure clear character recognition, open letter shapes, and avoid mirrored letters and overly stylized fonts. Font size should be at least 16 CSS pixels for body text, with distinct sizing between headings and body text. Line length, height, and spacing are also crucial, with ideal line lengths around 50-75 characters and line heights 1.4-1.5 times the font size. WCAG guidelines specify text spacing requirements, but these can be overridden by users if needed. Common issues to avoid include overly stylized fonts, tiny text, and low-contrast colors, while strategies to check for accessible fonts include simulating disabilities and checking character similarity. Finally, accessible fonts like Arvo, Atkinson Hyperlegible, and Droid Sans can be used to ensure clarity and character in typography.