Most accessible fonts: How to choose typography that supports inclusion

Fonts are just fonts.

Sure, they look nice, but there’s nothing all that special or important about them, right?

Think again. 

There is far more behind fonts than a simple matter of typography. 

They have the power to make content fun or serious, playful or straight-laced; they give hints as to what the reader can expect next, like a helpful guidebook, a friendly voice, or a clearly marked path. 

But they can also do the opposite. 

For users with visual impairments, dyslexia, or cognitive challenges, the wrong typeface can turn simple letters and numbers into impenetrable barriers. 

In this guide, we’ll take a look at why fonts matter, how to choose the most accessible fonts, and how to implement them effectively in your digital content. 

Why font choice matters for accessibility

Choosing the right font isn’t just a matter of aesthetics; it’s also about being inclusive. 

Fonts can influence how easily content is perceived, understood, and navigated – and when chosen thoughtfully, typography supports accessibility for people with diverse needs. 

Typography affects legibility, comprehension, and fatigue. So when you choose an inaccessible font, you can create significant barriers to understanding – even when the content itself is well written and accessible. 

Here’s why it matters: 

• Legibility and comprehension: The right font reduces eye strain and supports faster reading.
• Neurodiverse needs: Font style can help or hinder users with low vision, dyslexia, ADHD, and other neurodivergent conditions.
• Legal alignment: Typography plays a role in meeting WCAG’s readability and perceivability standards. 

Key characteristics of an accessible font

So what actually makes a font accessible?

While aesthetic preferences vary, certain characteristics consistently enhance the readability for all users. These traits reduce cognitive strain and help prevent misreading:

• Simple, open letterforms: Avoid overly ornate styles that make characters hard to distinguish. 
• Large x-height: Taller lowercase letters improve legibility, especially at smaller sizes. 
• Generous character spacing: This helps prevent letters from blending into one another, especially in longer passages. 
• Clear distinction between similar shapes: Characters like “l, I, and 1” or “o, O, and 0” should look noticeably different. 
• Minimal decoration or compression: Fonts that are too stylized or condensed reduce readability, especially when being viewed on a mobile device like a phone or iPad. 

Sans-serif vs. serif fonts: which is more accessible?

There’s an ongoing debate in the design world about serif vs. sans-serif fonts. But when it comes to accessibility, one type generally comes out on top.

Sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica are generally easier to read on screens.

Serif fonts can work in print or headings, but may reduce legibility for users with dyslexia or low vision.

Most accessible fonts for readability

Certain fonts are widely recognized for their clarity and readability. They’re frequently used in inclusive design because they work well across devices and are familiar to users.

• Arial: Clean and common
• Verdana: Wider spacing, large x-height
• Tahoma: Legible on screens
• Trebuchet MS: Open, rounded characters
• Helvetica: Widely used, but tighter spacing may require adjustments
• Roboto: Modern sans-serif with good readability

A good tip is to test font rendering across devices, as some system fonts vary in performance. 

Best fonts for dyslexia and cognitive accessibility

For users with dyslexia and other cognitive conditions, specially designed fonts can make a big difference. They can improve comprehension and reduce frustration, vastly improving their experience with your site. 

These typefaces use unique visual cues to make each letter more distinct.

• OpenDyslexic: Specially designed to reduce letter confusion
• Lexend: Reduces visual stress and improves reading speed
• Atkinson Hyperlegible: Designed by Braille Institute with clear differentiation
• Read Regular: Tailored to dyslexic readers

These fonts use visual strategies like heavier bottoms, wider spacing, and unique shapes to reduce people’s cognitive load and make everything much easier to understand. 

Font size, spacing, and line height: How they affect accessibility

Typography is also about how you present your typefaces – with key aspects like size, spacing, and formatting all influencing readability. 

Here’s how to get it right:

• Minimum font size for accessibility: WCAG recommends at least 16px for body text.
• Line height: Use 1.5x line spacing for body text (as per WCAG 1.4.8).
• Letter spacing: Aim for at least 0.12x the font size.
• Word spacing: Target 0.16x the font size.

It’s also a good idea to use relative units (em/rem) for flexibility and avoid fixed pixel sizes on responsive layouts.

Fonts to avoid for accessibility

Let’s be honest, some fonts just look great. Whether that’s in a brand deck, on a presentation, or across your site. 

But the issue is that these can also seriously hinder readability online. 

When accessibility is the goal, steer clear of these common culprits:

• Cursive or script fonts: Hard to parse quickly
• Condensed fonts: Reduce spacing and character distinction
• Decorative/stylized fonts: Especially problematic for neurodivergent users
• Comic Sans: Although sometimes recommended for dyslexia, it’s divisive, and it can be argued that it lacks professionalism

WCAG guidelines for typography and readability

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) include several checkpoints that relate directly to typography. 

These help you make sure your content remains clear and readable in diverse contexts.

• WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.4.12 (Text Spacing)
• 1.4.3 (Contrast), 1.4.4 (Resize Text), and 1.4.8 (Visual Presentation)
• Emphasize: “No loss of content or functionality” when resized or reformatted

You can take a look at the WCAG guidelines and the specific clauses above by visiting their website here. 

Make accessible font choices part of your design DNA

Even though it may not be the first thing to spring to mind, typography really does shape the reading experience. 

By making smart, accessible choices – from font selection to spacing and formatting – you can create content that works for more people, more of the time.

And when your content and site are more accessible, this doesn’t just benefit those with additional needs – it creates a more rounded, streamlined experience for everyone who visits your site. 

Frequently asked questions about accessible fonts