The apex is the point at the top of a letter, where two diagonal strokes meet. It is the highest point of letters such as “A”, and one of the details that most defines their character.
Where to see it
The apex is visible at the top of the capital “A”, at the top of the “M” and, in some typefaces, of the “N” or “W”. It sits at the precise point where the letter’s two strokes meet before descending again towards the baseline.
Why this detail matters
The design of the apex directly shapes the precision and personality of a typeface:
- A pointed apex gives the letter a sharp, upright look; a flat-cut or rounded apex gives it a steadier, softer appearance;
- When pointed, the apex usually overshoots the cap height slightly so that the letter does not look smaller than its neighbors;
- Some typefaces add a small serif or a beveled cut to the apex, a detail that is often enough to tell two similar fonts apart.
Related term
The vertex is the counterpart of the apex: the point at the bottom of a letter where two strokes meet, as at the base of the “V”.
Anatomy glossary
Ascender, Descender, Sidebearing, Joint, Axis, Bar, Beak, Bowl, Loop, Set width, Counter, Serif, Stem, Leg, Minim, Baseline, Eye, Belly, Foot, Point, Tail, Cross stroke, Terminal; X-height, X-height, Cap height, Body; Mean line, Ear, Spur, Ball terminal, Ligature, Apex, Vertex, Arm, Shoulder, Spine, Em dash, Thick stroke, Hairline, Bracket, Bounding box