Monospace typefaces, or fixed-width fonts, are typefaces whose letters all take up exactly the same width, from "i" to "m". Inherited from the typewriter, they make it easy to align characters vertically from one line to the next.
Where to see it
Monospace typefaces can be seen in code editors and terminals, with fonts such as Menlo, Consolas and JetBrains Mono. Courier, designed in 1955 for IBM typewriters, also remains the standard font for film scripts, where one page roughly equals one minute on screen.
Why this detail matters
Monospace typefaces meet very specific needs:
- Their fixed width aligns characters perfectly in columns, which is essential for reading and writing code;
- They make it possible to estimate text length reliably, as in film scripts;
- Their technical, retro look is also used in design to evoke digital culture or the typewriter.
Related term
Set width refers to the width taken up by a letter, which monospace typefaces make identical for every character.