The bar is the horizontal stroke that connects two main strokes of a letter, or that closes the eye of a lowercase letter. Simple in appearance, its position and thickness profoundly alter the proportions of a typeface.
Where to see it
The bar is visible on capitals such as “A” or “H”, where it connects the two main strokes. It also appears on the lowercase “e”, where it closes the eye of the letter.
Why this detail matters
The position and design of the bar shape the balance and character of a typeface:
- A high bar visually lengthens the letter and lends it elegance; a low bar gives it stability;
- On the “e”, an angled bar recalls pen writing and humanist typefaces, while a horizontal bar suggests a more rational design;
- A bar that is too thick weighs the letter down; one that is too thin can disappear at small sizes.
Related term
The crossbar is the horizontal stroke that cuts across a stem without joining two strokes, as on the lowercase “t” or “f”.
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