Display typefaces are designed to be used at large sizes: headlines, posters, logotypes, covers. Free from the readability constraints of running text, they can afford very fine details, strong contrast or expressive shapes.
Where to see it
Display typefaces can be seen on posters, magazine covers and website headlines. Many families offer a specific version labeled "Display", such as Playfair Display or Inter Display, with tighter spacing and details refined for large sizes.
Why this detail matters
Telling a display typeface from a text typeface avoids common mistakes:
- A display typeface used at a small size loses its details and becomes hard to read;
- Conversely, a text typeface enlarged for a headline often looks too loose, because its spacing is designed for small sizes;
- Pairing a display version for headlines with a text version for body copy keeps a single family while optimizing each use.
Related term
Didones are one of the families that show their full potential in display, thanks to their extreme contrast.