The influence of type face on the legibility of print

Abstract

The relative legibility of 10 type faces printed in 10-point type was obtained by determining the average distance in centimeters from the eyes at which easy words (from the Chapman-Cook speed of reading test) could be read correctly. An analysis of results based on 55 students at the University of Minnesota and comparison with previous studies indicates that certain factors which increase perceptibility of words at a distance reduce speed of reading. Legibility of type as measured by the distance method differed markedly from legibility in terms of speed of reading. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)