Lowercase refers to small letters. The term comes from hot metal printing, where small letters, the most frequently used, were stored in the lower part of the type case, closest to the typesetter's hand.
Where to see it
Lowercase makes up most of any running text, from books to web pages. Designers still use the term to describe a logotype or a headline written entirely in small letters, and French has kept the direct equivalent, "bas de casse".
Why this detail matters
Understanding lowercase helps make better typesetting choices:
- Text in lowercase reads faster than text in capitals, because the outline of words, with their ascenders and descenders, is easier to recognize;
- A lowercase logotype often feels more approachable and contemporary than a logotype in capitals;
- The x-height, meaning the size of small letters without ascenders, directly affects how readable a typeface is at small sizes.
Related term
Uppercase refers, by contrast, to capital letters, stored in the upper part of the type case.