The body is the size of a typeface, expressed in points. Inherited from metal type printing, where it referred to the height of the metal block carrying the letter, it now corresponds to the total height reserved for a font, from ascenders to descenders.
Where to see it
The body size is set in every layout or word processing application, when a text is set in “10 pt” or “12 pt”. It does not match the height of any particular visible letter: it encompasses the space for ascenders, descenders and a small margin around them.
Why this detail matters
The body size directly shapes the readability and hierarchy of a text:
- The choice of body size structures the hierarchy of a page: a large size for headlines, a smaller one for body text and captions;
- At the same body size, two fonts can look very different in size, because their x-height and the length of their ascenders vary;
- The body size serves as the reference for setting line spacing, generally set slightly above the text size to ensure comfortable reading.
Related term
The x-height is the height of lowercase letters without ascenders or descenders, and it determines the apparent size of a font at the same body size.
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