Type tips for the web

• Text is the most important form of communication on the web.

• The number one concern is readability.
  • set text in upper and lower case — all caps is much harder to read
  • don't use tiny type — it's hard to read on the computer screen
  • make sure type contrasts well with the background
  • don't have a lot of text on every page—break it up into smaller bits
  • don't use a tiled background or image behind normal text
  • if you use a graphic to replace text, always use the ALT tag to describe the text

• Use text to help design your page.
  • use different sizes of text
  • use bold and italic to differentiate text
  • change the alignment to left, center or right

North Dakota State University Extension Service