Long line lengths are said to need more interlinear spacing to ensure that the eyes locate the next line down accurately when executing a return sweep…īottom line? It’s clear that line heights and line widths are mathematically related in some way. In a 2004 study from the University of Reading (how ironic), Mary C. As the line width is increased, the text becomes harder to read because the line height has not been increased to offset the effect of the width.ĭespite the fact that the line heights are the same in the two paragraphs of Figure 4, their readability is quite different because of the differing line widths.Īs the line width gets longer, it becomes more difficult to perform a return sweep (the movement of the eyes from the end of one line to the beginning of the next) unless the line height is also increased to account for this effect. The first two, font size and line height, are vertical in nature.įigure 4.

Let’s take a trip down the typographical rabbit hole and find out! The 3 Fundamental Dimensions of TypographyĮvery paragraph you’ve ever seen has 3 primary dimensions. So how can you tweak the proportions of your typography to create a beautiful mathematical symphony? The mathematical proportions of your typography are vitally important to how readers perceive both your site and your content. When the mathematical proportions of your typography are harmonious, your site-and your content, specifically-look appealing to readers.Ĭonversely, when the proportions of your typography are imbalanced, your content isn’t as attractive to readers, and your site seems cluttered and disorganized. After all, typography consists of letters and words, and math is…well…numbers.īut the truth is, typography is a combination of artistic letterforms and mathematical proportions, an exquisite marriage of form and function.

You “hear” it every time you read a book, newspaper, magazine, or web site-every place where typography exists.Īt first glance, you might think that typography and math have nothing to do with one another. Is your site’s symphony pleasing and inviting to your readers, or does it turn them off and make it harder to communicate with them?Īs it turns out, this symphony is not unique to websites. Right now, there’s a mathematical symphony happening on your website.Įvery single one of your readers is subconsciously aware of this symphony, and more important, they are all pre-programmed to respond to it in a particular way. The basic concepts you’ll find on this page are important for understanding GRT, but much of the math is now outdated (and has been replaced by updated formulae).įor a more current and comprehensive look at all things GRT, check out the Golden Ratio Typography Calculator. This is the original introductory article to Golden Ratio Typography (GRT).

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