font size rant
- Started
- Last post
- 5 Responses
- jaylarson
why don't all fonts have standardized sizes. (you know, actually measured by a ruler)
(yes this is rhetorical and a serious question simultaneously)
- commandzed0
Not sure I understand your question. Do you mean designed for only 8pt, 12 pt, 16pt, etc...? Many typefaces are designed this way, some contain fonts optically sized for viewing at 6 pt or 8pt, but don't necessarily require you to use them at this size.
By ruler, which units do you mean exactly?
- digitalswarm0
I have a font ruler. You should see how big my junk is.
- foreign0
do you mean 12pt in one face is not the same as 12pt in another face?
- Typographica0
Body size = distance from bottom of the descender to the top of descender.
So a 12pt font can appear smaller or larger depending on its x-height, cap height, or ascender/descenders.
Confusing, I know. There have been efforts to change the standard body size measurement, but nothing's stuck.
- jaylarson0
thanks. yeah i have a ruler that has descending/ascending 'E's showing Point sizes for lines as well as font heights.
It would be nice if all 12-point fonts were 12 point.
But as for pixel fonts,,,, well, that has the potential to confuse everything... but I guess that is what we are for, 'professionals' who know the difficulties and complexities in order to make them simple and enticing for the general public.
thanks. it's nice to know this didn't fall on deaf ears, but on def ears. follow?
peace.