How to choose the right font for infographic readability

Infographics are an essential tool for visual communication, combining text, data, and imagery to present complex information in a digestible and engaging manner. While visual elements like colors, icons, and charts play a significant role in infographic design, the choice of font is equally crucial. The right font can enhance readability, maintain visual appeal, and ensure that the message of the infographic is conveyed clearly. This article explores the importance of font selection for infographic readability, factors to consider when choosing a font, and best practices to follow to optimize the text for clarity and engagement.

Table of Contents

i. Why Font Matters in Infographics

Before diving into the specifics of font selection, it’s important to understand why font matters. Fonts are not merely decorative; they serve a functional purpose in guiding the reader through the content of an infographic. The choice of typeface impacts:

Readability: The font needs to be easy to read, especially when the information is presented in small sections or tight spaces. Infographics often present condensed information, and the font should facilitate quick comprehension.
Hierarchy and Structure: Fonts help organize information by indicating importance or relationships between different elements. A proper font hierarchy aids in guiding the viewer’s eye through the infographic, helping them understand the order and flow of information.
Branding and Consistency: Fonts also contribute to the visual identity of a brand or project. Consistency in font choices ensures that the infographic aligns with the company’s branding guidelines and conveys a sense of professionalism.
Tone and Personality: Fonts can evoke different emotions or set a specific tone. A playful, creative infographic may benefit from a whimsical font, while a more serious or corporate project will require a more formal typeface. The font sets the mood for the entire design.

Given these considerations, selecting the right font for an infographic is not simply a matter of picking something that looks good; it’s about enhancing communication and making the content accessible and enjoyable to read.

ii. Factors to Consider When Choosing Fonts for Infographics

When choosing a font for an infographic, there are several key factors that should guide your decision-making process. These include readability, legibility, font pairing, and alignment with the content’s tone.

1. Readability vs. Legibility

Readability refers to how easily a body of text can be understood. It depends on the choice of font, its size, spacing, and how the text is presented within the context of the infographic. A readable font ensures that the message is clear and can be consumed at a glance, which is essential for infographics where information must be absorbed quickly.
Legibility refers to how easily individual characters can be distinguished from one another. Fonts with clear shapes and distinct letters, especially for smaller text sizes, enhance legibility. Legible fonts are particularly important for infographics that contain detailed or small text elements, such as data points or statistical information.

For instance, a font like Helvetica is highly legible and readable, making it suitable for both titles and body text in most infographics. In contrast, cursive or decorative fonts might look stylish but can significantly impair legibility, especially in small sizes or for dense text.

2. Font Size and Hierarchy

Font size plays a pivotal role in readability. In infographics, you’ll need to use a variety of font sizes to create a clear visual hierarchy. Larger fonts should be used for headings, subheadings, and key data points, while smaller fonts should be reserved for body text or supplementary information. This creates a natural flow and guides the viewer’s eyes through the content.

When designing your infographic, consider the following:

Headlines and Titles: These should be the largest elements in your design, drawing immediate attention.
Subheadings: These should be slightly smaller than the headline but larger than the body text. They help break the content into digestible sections.
Body Text: This should be large enough to read easily but not overpower the design. Typically, body text should range between 10-14 pt depending on the font.
Captions and Footnotes: These can be the smallest type used, often in 8-10 pt size, as long as they are still legible.

3. Font Pairing

Choosing the right font pairing is essential for creating an infographic that is both visually appealing and functional. A good pairing creates harmony between contrasting elements, balancing style with readability. Typically, pairing two complementary fonts—one for headings and another for body text—works well. Here are some guidelines for pairing fonts:

Contrast vs. Complement: Choose contrasting fonts (e.g., a serif font for headings and a sans-serif font for body text) to create a dynamic design. Alternatively, use complementary fonts of the same family, where one is bolded or italicized for emphasis.
Serif vs. Sans-Serif: Serif fonts (like Times New Roman or Georgia) have small decorative strokes at the ends of their letters and are typically used in print media for body text. They can convey a sense of tradition or professionalism. Sans-serif fonts (like Arial, Helvetica, or Roboto) have clean lines without embellishments and are easier to read on screens. They are generally more suitable for digital infographics.
Avoid Overcrowding: Avoid using too many fonts. Ideally, limit your infographic to two or three fonts: one for headings, one for body text, and, if necessary, a third for emphasis.

4. Space and Line Spacing

Font size alone isn’t enough for readability; the spacing between letters, words, and lines can significantly affect how easily text can be read. A crowded or cramped font makes it difficult for viewers to process information, while well-spaced text enhances clarity.

Letter Spacing (Kerning): This refers to the spacing between individual characters. Tight letter spacing can make text look squished, while wide letter spacing can reduce readability, especially in smaller font sizes. Adjust kerning to maintain a balanced and clean look.
Word Spacing: Adequate word spacing is also crucial for readability. Too little space between words can create a wall of text, which is difficult to read. Ensure there is enough space between words to keep the text legible without excessive gaps.
Line Spacing (Leading): Adequate line spacing is necessary to prevent the text from appearing too dense or overwhelming. A general rule of thumb is to set the line spacing between 1.2 and 1.5 times the font size. For example, if your body text is set to 12 pt, line spacing should be between 14.4 pt and 18 pt. This creates a comfortable reading experience.

5. Contrast and Color

The contrast between the font color and the background is crucial for readability. If the contrast is too low, the text will blend into the background, making it hard to read. Conversely, too much contrast can be jarring or uncomfortable.

High Contrast: Black or dark gray text on a white or light background is a classic combination that ensures maximum readability. This high contrast is especially important for infographics that will be viewed on a variety of devices, as it ensures the text stands out against any background.
Avoid Using Too Many Colors: Using multiple colors for different fonts or sections can be visually distracting. Stick to a limited color palette to maintain cohesion. If using colored fonts, ensure they have enough contrast against the background.
Font Color for Emphasis: Use color sparingly to highlight key data points or headings. Bright colors like red or blue can draw attention to important areas, but they should be used in moderation to prevent the design from becoming overwhelming.

6. Readability on Different Devices

Since infographics are often viewed on various devices—ranging from desktop computers to smartphones—it’s essential to ensure that the font remains legible across all screen sizes. Choose fonts that are designed for screen use, such as Google Fonts or Typekit, which offer web-optimized fonts.

Responsive Design: Make sure the infographic adapts well to different screen sizes. Test the design on both mobile and desktop views to ensure the text remains readable and appropriately sized.
Font Weight: Lighter fonts may be difficult to read on smaller screens, especially when they are set in small sizes. Use medium or bold weights for headings and important data points to improve visibility on mobile devices.

7. Tone and Personality

The font you choose should align with the tone and personality of the infographic. A fun, creative infographic may benefit from a playful or hand-drawn font, while a corporate or professional infographic requires a clean, straightforward typeface.

Playful Fonts: Fonts like Pacifico or Lobster can add a sense of fun and creativity to your design, making them ideal for lighthearted or informal infographics.
Professional Fonts: Arial, Helvetica, Roboto, or Open Sans are safe bets for professional and corporate-infused designs. These fonts are clean, modern, and easy to read in most contexts.
Serif Fonts for Traditional Feel: Fonts such as Georgia or Merriweather add a sense of tradition or formality. These are great for infographics that need to appear more serious or authoritative, such as legal or academic infographics.

iii. Best Practices for Font Selection in Infographics

To summarize the key points and ensure that your font choices enhance the overall readability and effectiveness of your infographic, here are some best practices to follow:

Choose Legible, Web-Friendly Fonts: Stick with well-known, web-optimized fonts that ensure readability on both small and large screens.
Keep It Simple: Limit the number of fonts you use. Generally, one font for headings and one for body text is enough.
Use Font Hierarchy: Create a clear font hierarchy to guide the viewer’s eyes through the information, using varying font sizes and weights.
Focus on Contrast: Ensure there’s enough contrast between the font and background to improve readability, particularly on screens.
Test Across Devices: Ensure that your infographic is legible on both desktop and mobile devices, with text that adjusts well to different screen sizes.
Consider the Tone: Align the font choice with the overall tone of the infographic, whether it’s professional, fun, or formal.

Conclusion

The font you choose for your infographic plays a significant role in how well the message is communicated. Readability, legibility, and appropriate font pairing are key elements that will determine whether your audience can easily absorb and understand the information presented. By considering factors such as font style, size, hierarchy, spacing, and tone, you can create an infographic that is both visually appealing and functional. Ultimately, the right font enhances the infographic’s ability to engage, inform, and leave a lasting impression on its viewers.