Studies of typographical factors influencing speed of reading. X. Style of type face

Abstract

Ten type faces were compared with respect to their effect on reading rate. Ten groups of 90 college students were tested—a total of 900 subjects. No important differences in rate of reading text material were found when the following type faces were used: Scotch Roman; Garamont; Antique; Bodoni; Old Style; Caslon O. S.; Kabel lite; and Cheltenham. Text printed with American Typewriter type was read 5.1% more slowly than text printed with Scotch Roman type. Cloister Black type (Old English) retards speed of reading 16.5%. Type faces in common use are equally legible. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)