Serif vs. Sans Serif Fonts: Differences Between the Font Types

Serif fonts are typefaces that have serifs, which are extra strokes on the ends of their letterforms. These typefaces evoke feelings of history, tradition, honesty, and integrity. There are many fonts that fall into the serif category containing different shapes, thicknesses, and lengths. Some different types of serif fonts include:

1. 1. Old style: Old style serifs have wedged ascenders in the serifs and high contrast between thick and thin strokes in the letterforms. This is the most traditional and classic of all the serif categories. Garamond is an old style of font—named after the sixteenth-century Parisian engraver Claude Garamond—characterized by slanted counters or scooped serifs, and are seen often in body text and book publishing.
2. 2. Transitional: Transitional serifs contain more contrast between stroke thickness and wider, bracketed serifs evolved from the old style serif typeface. Times New Roman is a transitional font and a frequent choice for plain text reading because the letterforms make economical use of space. Libre Baskerville is a traditional serif letterform designed specifically for digital body copy with wider counters and less contrast than the traditional Baskerville font.
3. 3. Slab serif: Slab serif fonts like Clarendon are distinguished by their thick, blocky serifs that are sometimes as thick as the letter strokes themselves. Other slab serif fonts include Courier, Excelsior, and Rockwell.
4. 4. Didone: Fonts in the Didone family—also known as Modern serifs—are characterized by high contrast in stroke thickness. These fonts are not meant for body text or long-term reading but can evoke a sense of luxury or elegance. Fonts like Didot and Bodoni are considered Didone fonts.

Sans-serif fonts are typefaces that do not have serifs on the ends of their letterforms. They are considered more modern and minimalist and are known for their high legibility. These fonts lack additional flourishes and have a more orderly and clean appearance. Some different types of sans-serif fonts include:

1. 1. Grotesque: Grotesque sans-serif fonts don’t vary much in their stroke widths, and uppercase letters are relatively uniform in appearance. Franklin Gothic is an example of a grotesque sans-serif font with an extra-bold design.
2. 2. Neo-grotesque: Neo-grotesques emphasize neutrality and simple legibility. These fonts have fewer strokes than standard serif typefaces and are more refined than traditional grotesque fonts. Arial is a neo-grotesque typeface with fewer strokes than standard serif typefaces. The curves in Arial sans-serif fonts are fuller and softer, with terminal strokes cut on the diagonal. Helvetica is a dense letterform with high x-height and tight spacing between the characters.
3. 3. Geometric: Geometric fonts have letterforms that are influenced by geometric shapes and have a more modern look. Futura is an example of a geometric sans-serif typeface with its letterforms carrying more weight than their predecessors. Avant-Garde Gothic is another example of a geometric font family.
4. 4. Humanist: Humanist sans-serif fonts are inspired by traditional letterforms that may alternate between thin and thick strokes. This font is characterized by loose letter spacing, wide counters, and a large x-height, making it easier on the eyes for smaller text. Calibri is an example of a humanist sans-serif that has a rounder and warmer aesthetic.

Many popular typefaces and their requisite fonts fall into two categories: serif or sans-serif. At first glance, it may not seem like there is a stark contrast between sans-serif and serif letters, but a closer look at the design structure reveals a number of key differences between the two styles.

• The decorative strokes: A serif is a decorative stroke that extends off the end of a letterform. Typefaces that have serifs are referred to as serif typefaces, while sans-serif typefaces do not have those decorative strokes. Some popular examples of serif typefaces are Times New Roman, Garamond, and Georgia. Some popular sans-serif fonts are Arial, Futura, and Helvetica.
• The mood: Serif fonts are sometimes considered more classic or formal, and sans-serif fonts are often considered more minimalist or casual. You will often find that print publications like books and newspapers will use serif fonts, while digital publications or magazines favor sans-serif fonts.
• The legibility: Some people believe that a serif font choice is better for reading text at small sizes in printed copy (like books or newspapers), while the sans-serif style is easier to read in digital mediums. Advancements in retina displays and graphic resolutions over the years have largely improved most digital font legibility, making most peoples’ experiences a matter of personal preference and comfort.

Whether you choose to use a serif or sans-serif font may depend on your medium or your message. However, there are a few general guidelines for choosing between a serif and sans-serif font.

1. 1. Think about your medium. Consider where people are going to primarily read your font and at what size. Are you using a digital or print medium? Is it for a long essay, or a logo design? Is it for children or adults? Sans-serif fonts are often used in children’s publications because the letterforms can be more recognizable.
2. 2. Look at examples. Look at similar works and study the types of fonts they use and how easy or challenging they are to read. Take notes on how longer pieces with a particular font affect the eyes more or less than others, or how different colors can affect your text’s legibility.
3. 3. Choose a few fonts to start. While it’s helpful to narrow down your choices, always have a few additional font options handy. You may like the look of a particular font in 12-point size, but it may not have the same effect when blown up or shrunken down. Compare the fonts alone and also side by side, keeping in mind what you like about each one.
4. 4. Consider the typographic hierarchy. A typographic visual hierarchy refers to how letterforms are displayed and where they draw the viewer’s eye. If you’re trying to decide on a few fonts for a project, consider how your font selections will look together. Pairing a serif heading with a sans-serif subheading for a project can catch your audience’s eye while directly summarizing the topic and enticing your audience to read on.

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