Fonts can be divided into several categories based on their characteristics and usage. Some common categories of fonts include:
- Serif: Serif fonts are characterized by small lines or decorative details that are attached to the ends of the letters in the font. These details are known as “serifs.” Serif fonts are often used for long blocks of text because the serifs can help to guide the reader’s eye from one letter to the next. Examples of serif fonts include Times New Roman, Georgia, and Palatino.
- Sans-serif: Sans-serif fonts are characterized by the absence of serifs. They have a clean, modern look and are often used for headlines and other large text. Sans-serif fonts are also often used for digital displays because they are legible at small sizes. Examples of sans-serif fonts include Arial, Calibri, and Verdana.
- Script: Script fonts are characterized by a handwriting or calligraphy-like style. They are often used for invitations, greeting cards, and other formal documents. Script fonts can be divided into several subcategories, including formal scripts, casual scripts, and brush scripts. Examples of script fonts include Lucinda Script and Brush Script.
- Display: Display fonts are designed for use in large sizes and are often used for headlines and other large text. They are characterized by their bold, decorative design and are typically not suitable for use in long blocks of text. Examples of display fonts include Impact and Copperplate.
- Monospace: Monospace fonts are characterized by a fixed width for all characters in the font. This means that all letters and characters take up the same amount of horizontal space, regardless of their shape. Monospace fonts are often used for coding and other technical applications where aligning text is important. Examples of monospace fonts include Courier and Consolas.
- Slab serif: Slab serif fonts are characterized by thick, block-like serifs. They have a strong, bold look and are often used for headlines and other large text. Examples of slab serif fonts
- Blackletter: Blackletter fonts are characterized by their heavy, ornate design and are often associated with medieval manuscripts. They are not commonly used in modern design, but are still popular for use in traditional or historical contexts. Examples of blackletter fonts include Fraktur and Old English.
- Decorative: Decorative fonts are characterized by their highly decorative, ornate design and are often used for display purposes. They are not suitable for use in long blocks of text and are typically used sparingly in design projects. Examples of decorative fonts include Papyrus and Comic Sans.
- Gothic: Gothic fonts are characterized by their heavy, condensed design and are often associated with horror or sci-fi themes. They are not commonly used in modern design, but are still popular for use in traditional or historical contexts.