Making words legible.
MINIMUM SIZE
Sixteen pixels for body text. Smaller is difficult on a phone and difficult for anyone over forty.
Many themes default to fourteen, which is too small.
RESIZING
Text must be enlargeable to double size without content being lost or the layout breaking.
Test it: increase text size in your browser and check the site still works.
Layouts using fixed heights frequently fail here, with text overflowing or being cut off.
LINE LENGTH
Very long lines are difficult to read. Constrain text to a comfortable width rather than the full screen.
LINE SPACING
Give lines room. Cramped text is harder to read, particularly for people with dyslexia.
FONT CHOICE
Readability first. Decorative fonts for body text exclude people.
Very light weights are difficult to read regardless of size.
ALIGNMENT
Left-aligned text is easiest to read. Justified text creates uneven spacing that causes difficulty for some readers.
CAPITALS
Avoid long passages in capitals. They are harder to read and some screen readers pronounce them as initials.
