Spoiled for choice?
How to find the web fonts that are perfect for your project.


Because web fonts have become generally available, web designers are no longer restricted to a choice between three or four fonts; there is now an almost limitless range of typefaces from which to select. And yet this new flexibility makes it all the more difficult to find the correct font. How do you go about selecting the fonts that are suitable for what you have in mind? Read on for a couple of tips.

When choosing fonts, there are two basic questions you need to consider. First and foremost, of course, you should make sure that the fonts you select match the nature and character of your project. Secondly, these fonts must also have the technical capabilities required for the intended purpose. Irrespective of how attractive you may find an apparently appropriate ornate font, it will actually be quite unsuitable if it is illegible in small point sizes when displayed on a screen. When searching for that elusive perfect font, it is thus advisable to base your choice on the context in which you plan to use it.


Logos, page titles and display fonts

It is here that you have the greatest freedom when it comes to selecting a font. Logos and page titles are usually displayed in a size that makes the finer details of a font recognisable. On the other hand, the boundaries between text and image can be said to be fluid in this area. In other words, it is not the legibility that is of primary importance but rather the overall effect. In such situations, for example, you can use stunning calligraphic fonts in retro style, such as Sugar Pie, or quirky modern typefaces like Fruitygreen by Andi AW.  Masry. But, despite all this freedom, there is nothing to stop you using classic fonts, such as Frutiger by Adrian Frutiger, in such contexts.


Headlines

In contrast with logos, headlines need to be legible but a certain amount of freedom is possible because these tend to be short texts only. They represent an intermediate area between logos and body text. As headlines have a prominent position, their appearance decisively determines how a web page is perceived and so it is advisable to choose headline fonts with care. When searching for a suitable font, you might consider it worthwhile taking a look at the modernistic but warm and soft Neo Sans by Sebastian Lester and Patrick Giasson, the technological Eurostile by Aldo Novarese and the clear, formally designed Yalta Sans by Stefan Claudius.


Body text

Assuming you do not intend to exasperate the readers of your text, it is essential to use a text font that is clearly legible when displayed on a screen. Overly complex and ornate forms and fonts with thin lines should thus be avoided. Popular fonts with a high level of legibility include Pluto Condensed by Hannes von Döhren, Xenois Slab by Erik Faulhaber and Hermann Zapf’s classic Palatino eText.



Used fonts: Sugar Pie (logo), Neo Sans Medium (headline), Pluto Condensed Light (body text)




Used fonts: Fruitygreen Black (logo), Eurostile Next Bold (headline), Xenois Slab Regular (body text)




Used fonts: Neue Frutiger Black (logo), Yalta Sans Bold (headline), Palatino eText Regular (body text)


And a few final tips …
There are many available utilities that you can use to help you find suitable fonts and to try them out in context before buying a licence.
We would recommend starting your search at Linotype.com. Simply select from the drop down menu under ’Product Catalog’ in the top left of the screen. You can then refine your search by selecting ’Fonts by Usage’ and ’Fonts by Themes’.