Summary

For your printed document, use the following text sizes:

Close-up Viewing (books, essays, etc.): Paragraph text should be no smaller than 12 point. [American Publishing House for the Blind, Inc.]
Distant Viewing (posters, flyers, etc.): Paragraph text should be between 24 point and 36 point, section titles should be between 46 point and 56 point, and the main title should be at least 72 point (ideally, it should be 158 point). [Gilson, Kitchin]
Permanent Signs (room signs, utility signs, etc.): See Section 703 of the ADAAG.

Choosing a Size

110pt Calibri next to 110 Verdana with dashed line showing size difference

Choosing an appropriate font size for your document can be a difficult task because not all letters are sized the same in each font. For example, in the image, there are two identical sample texts set to 110pt, but the Calibri font sample has smaller letters than the Verdana font sample. To overcome this issue, you may want to instead measure your font in inches, centimeters, or millimeters. If making such measurements seems too complicated, you can try writing a line of text in all uppercase with your desired font; adjusting the point size until it meets the minimum inch, centimeter, or millimeter measurement; and increasing the point size 2 more points.

The following are the encouraged minimums, but viewing distance and amount of text that needs to be included may require different sizes, especially for documents viewed at a distance.

Documents designed for close-up viewing:
- Paragraph text that is a minimum of 12 point font ( $\sim 0.16$ inches).
- If it is requested that the document be made available in a font size that is greater than 28point, it may be more appropriate to provide a braille, audio, or digital copy.
Documents designed for distant (3 to 6 feet minimum) viewing:
- Main Title:
  - Minimum size: 72 point ( $\sim .7$ inches).
  - Ideal size: 158 point ( $\sim 1.5$ inches).
  - Ideally the title should be visible from 10 to 15 feet away.
- Section Title:
  - Minimum size: 46 point ( $\sim 0.45$ inches).
  - Ideal size: 56 point ( $\sim 0.54$ inches).
- Paragraph, Copy, or Body Text:
  - Minimum size: 24 point ( $\sim 0.25$ inches).
  - Ideal size: 36 point ( $\sim 0.34$ inches).

(American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.; Gislon, Kitchin)

If your text needs to be in enlarged, large, or enhanced print, the sizes below are how the American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. defines these rankings.

Enlarged: 14 to 16 point.
Large: 18 and larger
Enhanced: 18 and larger, with other formatting changes

Additional Information

While outside the scope of this guide, if you are installing permanent signage (for rooms, utilities, etc.), refer to Section 703 of the ADAAG when determining appropriate font size.

Last Updated Fall 2018