Size, style, and vertical spacing in the legibility of small typefaces

Abstract

Conducted 3 experiments with a total of 264 18-77 yr. old adults to determine whether the minimum legible size of lowercase Univers, found previously to be 6.6 point (pt.), generalizes to other typefaces and to printing in capitals. Times New Roman and Perpetua were found to be as legible as 6.6 pt. Univers when the "x" heights were the same, about 1.2 mm. (1 pt. = .35 mm.), i.e., when the Times was 6.6 pt., and the Perpetua was 8.6 pt. Univers capitals with a vertical space between lines equal to 60% of the letter height were as legible as 6.6 pt. lowercase Univers when they occupied about the same vertical height of paper. Reducing the height of the capitals from 1.4-1.2 mm made them reliably (p < .05) less legible than the lowercase Univers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)