Point size is the size of a typeface, expressed in points. Inherited from metal type printing, where it referred to the height of the metal block bearing the letter, it now corresponds to the total height reserved for a font, from ascenders to descenders.
Where to see it
Point size is chosen in every layout or word processing application, when a text is set in “10 point” or “12 point”. Printed body text is generally set between 9 and 12 points, and around 16 pixels on screen, while headlines go up to much larger sizes.
Why this detail matters
The choice of point size determines the legibility of a text and the hierarchy of a page:
- Too small a point size strains the eyes, too large a size slows down the reading of a long text: it must suit the medium and the reading distance;
- At the same point size, two fonts can look very different in size, depending on their x-height and width: point size should always be judged by eye;
- Differences in point size between headlines, subheadings and body text are one of the first tools for building the hierarchy of a page.
Related term
Leading is the vertical space between two lines of text; it is always set in relation to the point size.