When building a website, one of the initial decisions you must make for web design is choosing the right fonts. Fonts play a vital role in design and branding and can significantly enhance the readability and aesthetics of a website. This guide will present a selection of 6 of the best HTML fonts for your website in 2024. Let’s dive in!
What you should consider when choosing HTML fonts
A web-safe font for HTML and CSS, often called a default font, is a typeface widely available and reliably displayed across various operating systems and web browsers. These fonts are considered safe choices for web design because they are pre-installed on most devices, ensuring a consistent and predictable appearance for users. If an operating system or browser does not support a specific font, the text will be displayed in a fallback font. This font is a default web-safe font. When choosing web-safe font families for your website, several key factors come into play. Consider these factors to ensure a harmonious and effective typography scheme:
1. Readability
It would be best to give importance to easily legible fonts, particularly for the main text. Select a font with distinct letters and a suitable distance between characters.
2. Brand Identity
Your brand identity must be aligned to your web font choice. Opt for contemporary fonts if your brand conveys a modern and sleek image. For a more traditional brand, consider classic serif fonts.
3. Pairing
You should ensure that the fonts you choose for headings and body text complement each other. Aim for a harmonious pairing that enhances visual appeal and readability.
4. Responsive Design
Your fonts should maintain readability across various devices and screen sizes. Test how your chosen fonts scale on different platforms to guarantee a consistent user experience.
5. Loading Speed
The impact of your font choices on page load times is a critical aspect of your website. Opt for fonts that don’t significantly slow down your website, especially for users with slower internet connections.
6. Cross-Browser Compatibility
Testing your chosen fonts across different browsers is needed to ensure consistent rendering. Some fonts may appear differently or have limited support in specific browsers.
7. Accessibility
Accessibility must be prioritized by choosing legible fonts for users with visual impairments. Consider factors such as font size, contrast, and overall clarity.
8. Consistency
Your font choices should be consistent throughout your website. Consistent typography contributes to a professional and cohesive design.
9. Internationalization
If your audience is global, consider fonts that support a wide range of characters and languages. This ensures a positive user experience for diverse audiences.
10. Testing and Feedback
You should test your chosen fonts with real users or gather colleague feedback. This can provide valuable insights into how well the fonts resonate with your target audience.
Choosing web-safe fonts vs. external fonts: Why it matters
When selecting fonts for your website, choosing web-safe HTML & CSS and external fonts is crucial to the overall performance and user experience. So, let’s see why:
Web-Safe HTML Fonts
Pros:
Reliability: Web-safe fonts are pre-installed on most devices, ensuring a consistent display regardless of the user’s operating system.
Faster Load Times: Being directly embedded in your website’s code reduces the need for external requests, contributing to faster page load times.
Privacy and Security: Web-safe fonts don’t rely on third-party servers, enhancing user privacy and reducing security concerns.
Cons:
Limited Variety: The selection of web-safe fonts is more limited than external font services.
Less Customization: There are fewer options for fine-tuning and customization than external alternatives.
External Font Services (such as Google fonts, etc.)
Pros:
Vast Library: External font services offer access to various fonts, providing more design flexibility.
Easy Implementation: Integration into your website is simplified through provided code snippets.
Cons:
Dependency: External font services rely on external servers, potentially impacting page load times and introducing the risk of downtime.
Privacy Concerns: Some services may collect user data, raising privacy and security issues.
Now that we have discovered the advantages of a CSS and HTML font compared to external fonts such as Google fonts, we can see some of the most popular font families in this category.
Best HTML fonts to use in 2024
Arial
Regarding web design, Arial is often the go-to sans-serif font for many designers. Its clean and modern appearance makes it a popular choice for websites, as it’s easily readable on screens and works well in headers and body text. Arial’s simple and uniform letterforms also make it a versatile font family. You can use this font for various design purposes, from professional business websites to creative portfolios.
Times New Roman
Times New Roman is a classic serif font that is widely used and easily accessible, making it a common choice for many websites. Its simple and traditional appearance gives it a timeless appeal, and its readability makes it a favourable option for long bodies of text. The serifs, or small decorative flourishes at the ends of the strokes in each letter, help guide the reader’s eyes from one letter to the next, enhancing legibility.Â
Helvetica
A versatile sans-serif font widely supported and known for its clarity. Helvetica has become one of the most popular and widely used typefaces in the world, and it is often the go-to choice for many designers and brands due to its clean and simple appearance. Its neutrality and adaptability make it suitable for various applications, from signage and logos to body text.
Georgia
Georgia is a serif font that is specifically for readability on screens. The design of Georgia includes characteristics that enhance its legibility, such as slightly larger x-height and broader characters. These features make it easier for readers to distinguish individual letters and words, ultimately resulting in improved readability. The serif typeface also includes various weights and styles, allowing for flexibility in design and layout. Georgia provides a sophisticated and professional look to any webpage, whether used for body text or headings.
Verdana
Verdana is a web-safe font family that is highly recommended for on-screen reading. Its sans-serif font design makes it easy to read on digital screens, and its optimized spacing and size ensure it remains legible even at smaller sizes. Whether designing a business website, a blog, or an online publication, Verdana is a reliable choice as it ensures your content is accessible and visually appealing to a wide range of audiences. Verdana is a font that prioritizes readability and a consistent look across different platforms.
Palatino
Palatino is a classic serif typeface that has been a popular choice for print material for many years. Its elegant and readable design makes it an excellent choice for body text, especially for long content passages. It is a font to use on your website to convey a sense of tradition and sophistication. It offers a timeless and classic feel that can elevate your website’s overall look and feel. Moreover, with its versatility and legibility, Palatino is an excellent choice for websites that must maintain a professional and polished appearance in their design and content.
Using web-safe fonts for your WordPress website
Mastering typography is a journey that involves careful consideration of various factors. By choosing HTML fonts thoughtfully, you can create a WordPress website that looks visually appealing and provides an excellent user experience. Remember, the key is finding the right balance between design preferences, functionality, and brand identity.
