Is Your Font Choice Accessible? A Simple Guide to Boosting Readability

When we think about accessibility, we usually focus on making spaces or websites easier to navigate. But have you ever considered the role of the fonts you’re choosing? For us as small business owners, picking the right font isn’t just about style—it’s about ensuring everyone can read what we have to say, no matter their abilities or devices.

Font accessibility sounds technical, but trust me, it’s actually pretty straightforward. And getting it right can do wonders for connecting with a wider audience and building an inclusive brand. Here’s how we can make fonts work for everyone.

Why Font Accessibility Matters for Your Business

Your message matters if you’re a small business, and you want it to reach as many people as possible. But did you know certain fonts can make reading harder for some people? Visual impairments, dyslexia, or even device settings can impact how easy (or challenging) your content is to follow.

Choosing accessible fonts means your message stays clear and readable for everyone, on any platform. It’s about inclusivity, yes, but it’s also about making sure your words have the impact you want.

Graphic Credit: Post PrePress

So, What Makes a Font Accessible?

Here are a few easy-to-understand tips you can put into action today:

1. Keep It Clear and Simple

Simple fonts are often the best choice. Sans-serif fonts like Arial, Verdana, and Roboto are clear, with clean lines that make them easy on the eyes. These fonts lack those little “tails” you see in serif fonts (like Times New Roman), which can sometimes make reading tricky, especially in longer text.

Decorative fonts might look great for a logo or an event invite, but for regular content like social posts or emails, they can be hard to read. Let’s keep it straightforward so your audience can focus on your message, not struggle with reading it.

2. Size and Spacing Are Big Deals

Font size can make or break readability. Too small, and it’s tough for anyone to read—especially those with vision challenges. For web content, a minimum of 16px is ideal, but you might want to go even larger for social media or key messages.

Spacing is another crucial factor, both between lines and letters. Ever noticed text that looks cramped? It’s hard to follow, right? Give your words breathing space by adjusting line spacing to about 1.5 times the font size—it makes your text feel open and easy on the eyes.

3. Prioritise Contrast

One of the quickest wins in accessibility is ensuring your text has strong contrast against its background. Think black on white or white on dark backgrounds—easy to read and highly visible.

Avoid colour combos that can blur together, like light grey on white or red on green. For those with colour blindness, certain combinations can make text hard to see. Stick to high-contrast, easy-to-read pairings with a contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for standard text.

4. Consider Fonts That Support Dyslexia

For readers with dyslexia, certain fonts are much easier to follow. Fonts designed with dyslexia in mind, like OpenDyslexic, have heavier bottoms on letters, making them easier to tell apart.

Even if you don’t use a dyslexia-specific font, try to avoid fonts where similar letters, like ‘b’ and ‘d’ or ‘p’ and ‘q’, look almost identical. Clear, distinct letter shapes can make a big difference in readability for everyone.

5. Consistency Is Key Across Platforms

Keeping your fonts consistent across all platforms—your website, socials, product packaging, emails—creates a cohesive, professional look. Pick one or two fonts and use them everywhere to help people recognise your brand.

And don’t forget to check how your fonts look on different devices. What works well on desktop can sometimes appear squished on mobile, so test it out on various screens.

Quick Tips to Get Started

No need to be a design pro to choose accessible fonts! Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Test for Accessibility: Use free tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker to see if your text and background colours have good contrast.
• Install Readability Plugins: If you have a website, accessibility plugins can help check readability. Tools like Google Lighthouse are handy for this.
• Get Feedback: Ask your customers or community if they find your fonts easy to read. You may be surprised by how small changes can make a big impact!
• Stay Simple: Clear, straightforward fonts are always more accessible and effective than overly decorative ones.

The Bigger Picture: Why It Matters

Making sure your fonts are accessible isn’t about just ticking a box—it’s about making sure everyone who comes across your brand feels welcome. For us as small businesses, we want to connect with as many people as possible, and something as simple as a font can have a big impact on how accessible and inclusive our brand feels.

So, next time you’re updating your website, posting on socials, or creating a product label, remember: a font choice can make all the difference. Let’s keep it simple, keep it accessible, and keep everyone in the loop.