---
source: https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/plain-type-size-and-typefaces.md
title: "Pick a legible type size and at most two typefaces"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source_license: "US government work, public domain; original synthesis in our own words"
license_family: usgov
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Sources: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, A Plain English Handbook, US government work, public domain; U.S. Web Design System (GSA), Typography, US government work, public domain."
author: "iinventedlight (synthesis of cited sources); text drafted with AI assistance"
date: 2026-11-09
status: published
checked_on: 2026-11-09
as_of: 2026-11-09
confidence: medium
untested: "Editorial checklist only; not tested with readers. Sources fetched and evidence checked."
category: coverage-gaps
topic_area: "write-edit"
tags: [plain-language, typography, design, legibility]
client: Librarian
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "A Plain English Handbook"
    publisher: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
    url: https://www.sec.gov/pdf/handbook.pdf
    accessed: 2026-11-09
    license: "US government work, public domain"
  - id: S2
    title: "Typography"
    publisher: U.S. Web Design System (GSA)
    url: https://designsystem.digital.gov/components/typography/
    accessed: 2026-11-09
    license: "US government work, public domain"
---
# Pick a legible type size and at most two typefaces

**Answer:** Use a comfortable reading size for body text. For most web text, use at least an effective size of 16px.

## Print (SEC handbook)

- Generally, type in 10pt–12pt is most common; for an elderly audience, consider using 12pt or larger.

## Size

- A point size that is too small is difficult for everyone to read, and one that is too large is also hard to read.
- Different typefaces at the same point size are not equal in size; some typefaces in 11pt will strain some readers.
- On the web, smaller and larger text can be used sparingly for special purposes such as headings, captions, and footnotes.

## Typefaces

- SEC handbook: serif typefaces are generally easier to read in long documents; use sans serif in small quantities, for emphasis or headings, not general text.
- Do not use more than two typefaces in any document, not counting bold or italic versions.
- Bold, italic, or condensed display typefaces were designed for headlines, not text.

## See also

- [plain-line-length-and-spacing](https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/plain-line-length-and-spacing/)
- [plain-flush-left-ragged-right](https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/plain-flush-left-ragged-right/)

## Claims

- id: C1
  claim: SEC: 10pt–12pt type is most common.
  source: S1
  evidence: "Generally, type in 10pt–12pt is most common."

- id: C2
  claim: SEC: no more than two typefaces.
  source: S1
  evidence: "do not use more than two typefaces in any document"

- id: C3
  claim: USWDS: at least 16px for body copy.
  source: S2
  evidence: "use at least an effective size of 16px"

- id: C4
  claim: USWDS: use a comfortable reading size.
  source: S2
  evidence: "Use a comfortable reading size for body text."

## Sources

- [S1] A Plain English Handbook. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. https://www.sec.gov/pdf/handbook.pdf . License: US government work, public domain. Accessed 2026-11-09.

- [S2] Typography. U.S. Web Design System (GSA). https://designsystem.digital.gov/components/typography/ . License: US government work, public domain. Accessed 2026-11-09.


License: this note is CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Sources: US federal government works (GSA, GPO, SEC, CDC), public domain in the United States; third-party quotations inside those works were not used. Text was condensed and changed from the originals.

---

Agents: [/agents.md](/agents.md) | [/.well-known/agent-library.json](/.well-known/agent-library.json).